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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based runner Rutendo Nyahora says she is now shifting her focus to next year as she chases qualification for the World Athletics Championships.
She is one of the few female distance runners earmarked to attain the qualifying time for marathon, for the world meet to be staged in Budapest, Hungary, in August.
On Sunday, Nyahora, running under XCEL Running Club, finished fifth at the Soweto Marathon in Johannesburg, South Africa. She posted a time of 2 hours 49 minutes 13 seconds to finish on position five.
She is targeting to make the time for marathon, which has been set at 2 hours 28 minutes for women’s marathon.
Nyahora, who returned to competition late last year after spending close to two years on the sidelines, remains one of the leading female runners in Zimbabwe.
“I really enjoyed my race on Sunday. I am happy with my performance my body and mind is starting to feel strong again. Since I started running marathon I never felt so strong towards the finishing like yesterday (Sunday).
“This year I never aimed to qualify for World Championships. The aim was to train for the marathon and see if I can finish without struggling.
“Being in top five it was something big for me and unbelievable. Many thanks goes to my coach (Lindsey Parry), he is always there for me and now our next year target is to get a good marathon and run fast,” said Nyahora.
She spent most of the season competing in 10km and half-marathons to prepare herself for marathon and believes she is making positive strides.
“Yes, I spent the better part this year focusing on 10km and half marathon. The aim was to have the leg speed again. And yes I think I have attained my goal to see where I am,” said Nyahora.
She represented Zimbabwe at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships and at the Olympics in 2016.
Online Reporter