Chronicle Editor
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATIONAL competitions manager Manuel Mpofu believes there is room for improvement for the juniors that were part of the National Cross Country Championships held over the weekend.
The competition took place at Allan Wilson School in Harare, with the main events of the day being the senior men and women 10km, junior men 8km and junior women 6km races.
With most of the senior athletes preferring to participate at the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon, the event attracted mostly new faces, in particular, in the senior men and women.
While he expressed concerns over the absence of the seasoned athletes, Mpofu said there was a bit of competition from the juniors.
“The times were not that impressive.
“But taking into consideration that time improves when most of the top athletes are part of the competition. If we look (at this event), we had very few top athletes.
“Most of the top athletes had gone to perform at Kazungula, Botswana.
“They tried their best to improve their times…But there was lack of that vibe of top and experienced senior athletes.
“But, on the junior women, it was a little bit better. Even the junior men, it was a little bit better,” said Mpofu.
Tatenda Hove from Midlands was the first to cross the finish line in the senior men’s 10km in 31 minutes 17.52 seconds.
Godwin Katakura of Mashonaland Central was second in 31 minutes 29.10 seconds. Masvingo’s Temba Bothwell came in on third place with a time of 31 minutes 56.68 seconds.
Maryjoy Mudyiravanji from Harare won the women’s race in 38 minutes 10.34 seconds.
Angela Moyo also from Harare and Mashonaland West’s Emeldah Nyamusora were second and third in 38 minutes 37.39 seconds and 39 minutes 59.68 seconds respectively.
The junior men’s 8km title went to Shelton Ncube from Matabeleland South with a time of 27 minutes 51.09 seconds.
Previous Munsaka emerged tops in the junior women’s 6km event in 23 minutes 34.30 seconds.
The Under-18 men and women competed in 6km and 4km respectively.
And Tinashe Mbokochena won the men’s category in 21 minutes 44.35 seconds while Progress
Gutura romped to victory in the women’s event in 14 minutes 43.92seconds.
He acknowledged provinces for their efforts in preparing and sending their teams for the national event.
“I think the competition was well attended.
“Taking into consideration the economic challenges prevailing in the country, the (provincial) boards tried by all means to come and perform.
“I think if they continue like that, we will grow and improve our competitions, and athletics in general.”
For those that took part at the Kazungula Marathon in Botswana, it proved to be a fruitful weekend with Ngonidzashe Ncube coming third men’s race, in 2 hours 20 minutes 03 seconds.
Givemore Mudzinganyama was fourth in 2 hours 21 minutes 29 seconds.
Other Zimbabweans that made the top 10 include Trust Hove, Lucky Munsaka and veteran Mike Fokorani.
In the women’s 42km, the best results were from Ethel Pangiso, who finished second 2 hours 47 minutes 40 seconds.
Moses Tarakinyu, once again proved his mettle when coming first in half marathon, where it became a Zimbabwean affair with Wayne Kabondo and Ebel Chibanda coming second and third respectively.
Tarakinyu clocked 1 hour 5 minutes 36 seconds while Kabondo posted a time of 1 hour 5 minutes 40seconds.
Chibanda was third in 1 hour 6 minutes 32 seconds.
Caroline Mhandu finished second in 1 hour 16 minutes 43 seconds in the women’s category.
Wellington Varevi was the first to cross the finish line in the 10km race, in 30 minutes 53 seconds while Melody Kaseke was third in the women’s category, with a time of 38 minutes 37 seconds.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu