admin
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER claiming a top 10 position at the Soweto Marathon in South Africa over the weekend, Rutendo Nyahora believes she still has what it takes in her quest for qualification to next year’s World Athletics Championships.
Nyahora has been to the world meet before.
She ran the Soweto Marathon on Sunday and came seventh in 2 hours 58 minutes 32 seconds.
For her, it was not about an impressive time but crossing the finish line.
This comes after a disappointing outing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where she did not finish the 42km race.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the Soweto Marathon, Nyahora said the race was important as she is returns to marathon events.
“This race was very important to me. I was testing to see if I can run a marathon and finish after a long period suffering from an injury.
“I pulled my hamstring during Hannover Marathon in April and I ended up walking to the finish line.
“I went to the Olympics, failed to finish the marathon, I was traumatised, stressed, and I ended up suffering with depression. I couldn’t handle the insults from social media after Paris marathon.
“I decided to be patient with myself and injury, attending physiotherapy, doing everything I can to see myself running again.
“It was not easy in terms of finances. I started feeling much better end of September, that’s when I decided to run Soweto Marathon.
“I trained for four weeks, I know I am mentally strong but I wanted to check if I am still that strong and was also testing my injury,” said Nyahora.
“From now I need to recover well and start my training for next year.
“My focus now is to qualify for next year’s World Championships,” she said.
Prior to the marathon on Sunday, she had participated in the Hollywood 10km race held at the end of September before she decided to train for Soweto Marathon.
“Training for marathon for only four weeks it’s not easy. My aim was not time, my aim was to finish the race.
“Soweto Marathon is the toughest race and course in South Africa with the heat and the humidity. The competition is always tough running against Kenyans, Ethiopians and Lesotho, it’s not easy,” said Nyahora.
The race was won by Neheng Khatala of Lesotho in 2 hours 43 minutes 7 seconds.
She was followed by Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba on 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.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara said, Nyahora remains one of their hopefuls to qualify 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 and her supporting,” 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.
Online Reporter