Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S distance runners — Isaac Mpofu and Fortunate Chidzivo —are set to take part in the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, which has attracted a star-studded field.
Double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge will headline this year’s edition.He touched down in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday.
Last year’s edition was cancelled because of adverse wind conditions.
Mpofu and Chidzivo, who is one of the few leading female marathon runners, are among the local athletes expected to be part of the field on Sunday.
“For Kipchoge being here, it’s good because it has attracted many athletes to come this side and race with him,” said Mpofu. “He is a big name on the start list of Cape Town.
“Surely, I think the competition will be a little bit tough as everyone will be here trying to race with him.”
With the World Championships scheduled for next year in September, Mpofu said his focus will be on making the top 10.“I tried to prepare well. I will try to run my best. I don’t have many targets this time, I will just run focusing on finishing well and focusing on the top 10.
“I think it will be good if I finish in top 10. I am not worried about time, there is still time.
“This year, there are no World Championships, so I think there is still enough time to qualify for the World Championships because they are next year in September. “I am taking it nice and easy, focusing on each competition as it comes,” Mpofu said. His first encounter with Kipchoge on course was in 2023 at the Boston Marathon in the United States.
Their second meeting was to come a year later when they raced at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.
However, it was all gloom in Paris for the athlete as he dropped out just after the 30km mark.
Prior to the Paris Games, Kipchoge had etched his name in the Olympic history, winning back-to-back gold medals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games in marathon.Chidzivo is convinced of the work she has put in preparing for Sunday’s race, and is hoping for a personal best.
“All went well, picking few niggles during tapping time but nothing serious. It has been a fruitful season so far.
“My legs are always not happy to race marathons, so I am going to take it one step, one mile at a time till I hit the finish line. “If my body responds well, I am looking at a personal best,” said Chidzivo.
Bongani Ndlovu