adminFarirayi Kahwemba in JOHANNESBURG
THE results of the decision made by Zimbabwean long distance runner Givemore Mudzinganyama to change clubs, and devote more time to his running, will come under the spotlight on April 29 at the North West N12 Ultra Marathon.
In the 2022 edition of the popular North West race, the 32-year-old finished third after completing the 50km run in a time of 2:34:47.
The decision to elevate the status of the marathon – which will now be used as one of the qualifiers for the 2023 Comrades Marathon – will encourage Mudzinganyama, as he prepares for the gruelling challenge to be held in the North West town of Klerksdorp.
To his credit, the athlete has taken a more professional approach to his running by quitting his part-time job.
In January, Mudzinganyama ended his two-year stint with Waterfall City Athletics Club by signing a one-year contract with Entsika Athletics Club.
This was after his new club had offered him better terms, allowing him to become a fully-fledged professional long distance runner.
“I am happy that I have joined Entsika. I cannot take away the good treatment I received from Waterfall since I have been part of the club,” Mudzinganyama said.
“The offer I received from Entsika was hard to turn down and it is going to change my running career. So I will not continue working as I focus on my running career full time,” he added.
With age still on his side, the talented long distance runner is yet to reach his peak.
His decision to turn professional, which was influenced by his mentor and accomplished long distance runner Hendrick Ramaala, could add impetus to his overall objective of adding more running titles to his name.
Competing as a semi-professional and with the odds heavily stacked against him, Mudzinganyama held his own during the 2022 season against some of the more established runners.
He is enhancing a growing reputation as a top 50km specialist and the podium finishes he achieved, in at least three of the races last year, bear testament to this.
Besides finishing third in the North West N12 Ultra Marathon, he also won the Seshego 50km Ultra Marathon, held in Limpopo, with an impressive time of 2:51:15 in May.
A month later, he demonstrated his prowess by winning the Hemelen Aarde Marathon, which was held in the Western Cape.
Online Reporter