Mutandiro, Tavengwa retain titles

to beat his record from last year of 2 hours 19 minutes by four minutes as he crossed the line on 2 hrs 15 minutes.
Tawengwa also managed to eclipse her winning time of last year by 20 minutes as she romped home in 2 hrs 48mins 11 sec.
Mutandiro was happy with his win and is hopeful that he will continue working hard.
“The race was fine I had a great challenge from Mike Fokorani and I am happy that in the end I managed to win.
“It is a good race I was working on 10 and 21 km races but when this one came I went for it.
“I made it by dropping people but they were all over me,” Mutandiro said.
Kenyan-based Tavengwa was also happy to defend her title and said she was using the event to prepare for her upcoming international assignments.
“This is good as I have improved by beating my time from last year.
“The race come at the right time as I will use it as a preparation for my next races.
“I am looking forward to go to Europe and Texas so I tested my strength.
“Training with Gerald Munetsi has helped me a lot this holiday and I hope I will qualify for the Olympics.
“In Kenya I have now managed to cope with the pace of the athletes there.
“In 2006 when I left for Kenya I was not that competetive but now I am doing well,” said Tavengwa.
Charles Sozo from Mutare was second in the men’s race on 2hrs 18mins 49 sec followed by Chasara Musiyatora of Ziscosteel.
Ngonidzashe Ncube and Fokorani completed the top five.
In the women category Lucia Nyasha came second while Beauty Dube was third.
Veteran athlete Edmund Makutya won the wheelchair race in 27 minutes 51 sec while outgoing champion Elford Moyo was second on 29 mins 22 sec.
Only Rudo Makombe took part in the women’s veterans category.
Elmore Sibanda of Ziscosteel won the men seniors race.
Jacob Mugomeri came second while Portifer Dombojena was third.
Faith and Constance Nyasango were first and second in the women’s seniors with Alice Manake third.
Patrick Chipoya (50) of Bulawayo won the masters event while Kenny Mairosi was second.
Vanessa Garavada won the development race, which had Under-13 age groups for boys and girls in which Grant Chigwenese came first in the boys category.
The Minister of Information and Publicity Webster Shamu was the guest of honour and flagged off the athletes from their starting point at Town House in the city centre.
Shamu encouraged the athletes to maintain their commitment to the sport.
“I am happy to be part of this event which is not for the frail and faint hearted.
“The marathon is a good test for stamina and determination.
“The women and men who we saw today would never have done it if they were not people of resolve, purpose and determination.
“Let’s emulate the champions of the marathon race who have demonstrated that with singleness of purpose clarity of vision and adherence to laid down principles we can achieve our goals,” Shamu said.