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Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sport
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 to qualify for next year’s World Athletics Championships.
Nyahora has been to the world meet before.
She came seventh in the Soweto Marathon 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 Sport, Nyahora said:
“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 the 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 from depression.
“I couldn’t handle the insults from social media after the Paris Marathon. I decided to be patient with myself and injury, attending physiotherapy, doing everything I can to see myself running again.”
She added:
“It was not easy in terms of finances. I started feeling much better at the end of September, that’s when I decided to run the 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.
“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.”
Prior to the marathon on Sunday, she had participated in the Hollywood 10km race held at the end of September.
“Training for a 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.”
Online Reporter