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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
SEASEONED long distance runners Curthbert Nyasango and Olivia Chitate won the men and women’s Old Mutual 10km Nkulumane Fun Run in Bulawayo yesterday.Chitate defended her title in the women’s section in a time of 34 minutes 07.09 seconds bettering her previous record of 35 minutes 32.71 seconds while Nyasango clocked 29 minutes 24.63 seconds to dethrone two-time defending champion Wirimai Juwawo who came second.
Chitate and Nyasango pocketed $1,000 each for their efforts.
Nyasango broke away from the leading pack of Juwawo and Elijah Mabhunu with a kilometre to go to the finishing line.
“I am in good condition. I ran a marathon in Praga (Poland) a few weeks ago so I was prepared for this race and I think experience was key for me because we were in one bunch for about 9km. I finally managed to break away in the last kilometre, it was a tough race,” said Nyasango.
Juwawo came second in 29 minutes 32.69 seconds while Mabhunu was third in 29 minutes 41.17 seconds. They walked away with $750 and $500 respectively.
“It was a good race. I am happy that I came second because I didn’t think that I will make it. I wasn’t feeling well for the last three weeks and I started training late, may be if I was fit I was going to be able to defend my title,” said Juwawo.
In the women’s section, 2012 winner Rutendo Nyahora failed to maintain the lead in the last three kilometres where Chitate and Constance Nyasango proved too strong for her. Chitate said it was a miracle that she won after being on the sidelines for a couple of months.
“It was a tough race for me and a miracle that I won it because I have been out for a while. I wasn’t feeling well for a long time. I am happy that I defended my title,” she said.
Curthbert’s younger sister Constance clocked 34 minutes 23.71 seconds while Nyahora came third in a time of 34 minutes 58.90 seconds.
It was a family affair for the Nyasangos as Curthbert’s wife Faith came fifth in the same event in a time of 35 minutes 59.93 seconds.
In the junior men’s, Kuwadzana High School pupil Tendai Zimuto came first in a time of 30 minutes 40.04 seconds and fifth overall in the 10km race.
Sparrows Athletics Clubs dominated the juniors.
In the 5km fun run regional manager Margaret Vera finished the race and while sports journalist Dave Simba took part in the 10km event.
Over 300 athletes participated in yesterday’s event.
Results: 10KM
Senior Men: 1. Cuthbert Nyasango (29 minutes 24.63 seconds) 2. Wirimai Juwawo (29min 32.64secs) 3. Elijah Mabhunu (29min 41.17sec) 4. Jonathan Chinyoka (30min 35.17sec) 5. Tendai Zimuto (30min 40.04sec)
Senior Women: 1. Olivia Chitate (34min 07.09sec) 2. Constance Nyasango (34min 23.71sec) 3. Rutendo Nyahora (34min 58.90sec) 4. Sharon Tavengwa (35min 37.55sec)
Junior Men: 1. Tendai Zimuto (30 min 40.04sec) 2. Jay Kaveya (31sec 57.40sec) 3. Daniel Ncube (33min 33.64sec)
Junior Women: 1. Patience Gurure (41min 28.67sec) 2. Sandra Taderera (42min 02.51sec) 3. Thobekile Mpunzi (42min 26.40sec)
Veterans
Men: 1. Amos Chedondo (34min 00.91sec) 2. Mbonisi Lunga (41min 25.12sec)
Women: 1. Sidalisiwe Ndlovu (57min 57sec) 2. Emelaney Fendick (one hour 54 seconds)
Masters
1. Patrick Chipoyi (56min 35.03sec) 2. Benjamin Mpofu (43min 10.24sec)
Mistress
1. Rutendo Moyo (59min 35sec)
Grand Masters
1. Jenthro Msongelwa (41min 47.43sec) 2. Sikhosana Khumalo (42min 38.12sec)
Wheelchair
Men: 1. Elford Moyo (30min 18.37sec) 2. Samson Muroyiwa (32min 53.63sec) 3. Munyaradzi Katiyo (35min 20.22sec)
Women: Thandiwe Ndlovu (44min 58.73sec) 2. Margrat Bangajena (45min 10.87sec) 3. Dorcas Hwatira (45min 35.18sec)
5KM- Fun run
Women: 1. Londisi Ncube (20min 10.75sec) 2. Brenda Banda (21min 47.67sec) 3. Talent Maphosa (23min 17sec)
Men: 1. Bornface Jeki (17min 25sec) 2. Richmond Tinorwa (17min 51sec) 3. Hlalani Ngwenya (17min 51.71sec)
derick.khumalo