Pangiso, Chitate win Gutu Half Marathon

Phineas Mukwazo in Gutu
THERE was something common in both winners of the 21KM race at the Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon yesterday.

The men and women’s winners both strode home virtually unchallenged.

Calvin Pangiso claimed the 2015 men’s half marathon crown when he romped home in 68.31 minutes, in what initially appeared to be a close affair as he was neck-on-neck with Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Isaac Mopfu, defending champion Elijah Mabhunu and Misheck Mabheka after 16KM until he broke loose.

Sibanda was second in 69.04 minutes, while Mpofu came third in 69.25 minutes and Mabhunu (69.36) was relegated to a disappointing fourth place finish.

In the women’s race, Olivia Chitate, who represented the country at the World Championships in China in August, comfortably won the race in 82.20 minutes.

Seasoned campaigner Constance Nyasango, who emerged second last year, was second best again this year in a time of 84.18 minutes.

Little known Faith Sanyika was third in 88.20 minutes. Both winners of the marathon pocketed $600, the runner up $500 and third place $300. The fourth placed runners got $100 and fifth placed $50.

For the third year running, there were no takers for the Mercedes Benz that was on offer for an athlete who would run the race in 58 minutes, in what would be a world record. The world record over the same distance in the men’s race is 58,23 minutes set in 2010 while the women’s is 65,90 minutes.

The Gutu Half Marathon was founded by the late Vice-President Simon Muzenda 20 years ago under the theme “Promoting sport in rural areas in a sustainable manner”.

About 800 athletes battled for honours in categories that also included the boys’ and girls’ Under-20, the 10KM races as well as the 5KM race for the Under-15s.

Results

21KM race

Men

1. K Pangiso 68,31

2. N Sibanmda 69,04

3. I Mloofu 69,25

4. E MAbhunu 69,36

5. M Mabheka 69,46

Women

1. O Chitate 82.20

2. C Nyasango 84,18

3. F Sanyika 88,20