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Ellina Mhlanga–Senior Sports Reporter
LONG-DISTANCE runner Ngonidzashe Ncube says he is geared for the Generali Munich Marathon due to take place on Sunday in Germany.
Ncube is chasing qualification for the World Athletics Championships and is expected to leave for Germany today.
“Now I am ready for the Munich Marathon. In terms of preparation, everything went well according to our plans as per the training programmes that we were having.
“I am a little concerned with my endurance though because I did not do long runs for some weeks but all the other areas I think we have done everything possible.
“What I can say is I will do my best in Germany. I am not going for a holiday, I am on a mission,” said Ncube.
The qualifying time for men’s marathon is 2 hours 9 minutes 40 seconds and for women its 2 hours 28 minutes.
Last month he took part at the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisations Games (SARPCCO) in the half-marathon.
On his return from Tanzania, he joined the distance runners camp in Harare being led by head of the national event coaches team for middle and long-distance runners, Benson Chauke.
Chauke is working with other middle and long-distance coaches that include Cephas Pasipamire, who is the club coach for Ncube.
Pasipamire said they have had a good build-up to the race and believes Ncube stands a good chance to qualify for the World Championships.
“We did what is required, everything needed for a marathon. The SARPCCO Games helped him with speed work.
“We have worked on everything, even his speed work, we had a session yesterday (Monday) and he did well.
“His times are good, if you look at Isaac Mpofu, those were the same times he ran when he went on to run 2:10. And Ncube ran 1 hour 2 minutes at the SARPCCO Games in the half-marathon. That’s a good time and usually when you run good times in a half-marathon, it’s now about endurance for the marathon.
“However, you never know what happens on the race day. The competition and weather conditions may differ and it can be an advantage or disadvantage,” said Pasipamire.
Besides Ncube, a number of athletes attending the ongoing camp are scheduled to compete in the Cape Town Marathon on October 15 and 16, also chasing qualification for marathon and the 10 000m event.
Meanwhile, South Africa-based Rutendo Nyahora, who is also one of the female distance runners the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are pinning their hopes on, said she has had a fruitful season so far and is hopeful of qualification.
“I can still qualify for the next World Championships. I missed the last World Championships due to my new born baby. Now nothing will stop me. I know I am a fighter and I will never stop fighting until I get what I want.
“And since I am now training with my coach, Lindsey Parry, a lot has changed. He has helped me become mentally strong.
“As the qualification times are getting tougher, it means we really have to be tough on ourselves. Many ladies are running marathon under 2:20. So it’s possible for me to run the qualification times,” said Nyahora.
She has competed in a number of races this year including the OUTsurance Gun Run half-marathon, which she said was part of her preparation for the Soweto Marathon in November.
However, for qualification Nyahora is hoping to pursue another race early next year as she said she is still working on her comeback after giving birth last year.
Online Reporter