Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
COACH Benson Chauke says Isaac Mpofu and Tendai Zimuto are on the right track as they prepare for the World Athletics Championships.
Chauke made the remarks after the two runners’ participation at the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon on Sunday.
Mpofu, who is recovering from injury, ran the marathon while Zimuto went for a half marathon as part of their assessment.
“Our assessment was just to see if Isaac is able to do a marathon, which he has done.
“And running a 2:13 with the preparation we have had so far, I think we are on the right course,” said Chauke.
“We have other areas we have picked that we need to work on as we now prepare for the World Championships.
“For Tendai, it was a kind of back-to-back race, a 21km (at Tanganda) and another 21km (today). So, it could have taken its toll . . . He finished ninth.
“But what we wanted to assess, it’s looking promising . . . So, it’s an assessment to see where we are and how much we need to work.”
The two athletes are set to represent Zimbabwe in marathon at the World Championships in September, in Tokyo, Japan.
They have been in camp for some time now and will continue with their programme with the focus now more on the World Championships in September.
“Now we are starting the bigger preparation for the bigger picture.
“It will now be solely preparation. We can’t be putting in a lot of other stuff in between now because we need a smooth preparation.”
However, Zimuto is part of the team to compete at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Southern Region Senior Championships to be hosted by Zimbabwe this month.
The regional meet is scheduled for July 26 and 27 at the University of Zimbabwe.
“For Tendai, he is going to run a 10 000m event in the Southern Region Championships. And thereafter he is done. Isaac is done; it’s now just preparation.
“We are in camp. We have not changed our loading towards September, so whatever came in between was part of our road map to September.
“It’s not like we have tapered down because we have a race. We were having our usual training and we competed; it’s part of our build-up for the bigger race,” said Chauke.
Mpofu, who has been recovering from a hip injury, ran the Tanganda half marathon prior to the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon.
“We were just assessing to see if I can run and complete a marathon because of that injury.
“And so far, the assessment has come in a positive way, so we are going back into camp and we continue again with the programme. Then from there we see how it goes at the World Championships.
“I am not yet 100 percent there but I am happy with the time, 2:13 is a good time. I wasn’t expecting it because I thought I would run around 2:17.
“But so far so good, from 2:13 if I can shed off about 4 minutes, I am under 2:10, and probably will make top 10 at the World Championships,” said Mpofu.
After his debut at the World Championships in 2019, Mpofu has made gradual progress, improving his times at major races including at the world stage.
On the other hand, Zimuto will be making his first appearance at the World Championships in September.
“I am now looking forward to the Southern Region Championships, where I will run 10 000m.
“It’s exciting to compete at the Southern Region Championships, I won the nationals, so now I am representing the country.
“And it’s an advantage to me because continuously running on track also helps me build speed,” said Zimuto.
