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Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
DISTANCE runner Rutendo Nyahora returned to action with a spirited performance to finish seventh at the Soweto Marathon yesterday in South Africa.
Nyahora clocked 2 hours 58 minutes 32 seconds and it was an encouraging outcome after failing to finish the marathon race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in August, where she was part of Team Zimbabwe.
It was her second appearance at the Olympics, having made her debut in 2016, in Rio, Brazil.
She has remained one of the leading female runners in the country and she earned her spot to the Olympics through the universality slots.
Although Paris left her emotionally drained and disappointed after dropping out of the race at the halfway mark, the South Africa-based athlete seems to have put that behind to focus on the task at hand as she looks into the future.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president, Tendayi Tagara, said Nyahora remains one of their hopefuls as they gear up for next year’s World Championships.
“Running and finishing a marathon is the first measure of endurance. The route is naturally tough, it’s not a fast course.
“I am happy that she has finished the race. She now has to focus on speed endurance as the countdown to qualifying for Tokyo continues.
“Nyahora and Fortunate Chidzivo are still our hopefuls. I am happy for her,” said Tagara. However, Nyahora will have to work hard to improve her time if she is to make the cut for the World Championships due to take place next September in Tokyo, Japan.
The qualifying time for women is 2 hours 23 minutes 30 seconds.
For men, they are looking at 2 hours 6 minute 30 seconds. Marathon remains one of the events, NAAZ are hopeful for the World Championships and several distance runners are pushing for qualification.
Yesterday’s race was won by Neheng Khatala of Lesotho in 2 hours 43 minutes 7 seconds. She was followed by Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba in second place with a time of 2 hours 44 minutes 55 seconds. Worke Degu Amena from Ethiopia was third in 2 hours 48 minutes 11 seconds.
In the men’s category the title went to South Africa’s Onalenna Khonkhobe in 2 hours 18 minutes 36 seconds.
Online Reporter