Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
EDWIN Gwaze the principal of Zimbabwe School of Mines has described yesterday’s Marathon organised by his institution as a success as Gamuchirai Tsveta romped to victory in the men’s 42.2km event.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Tsveta said all had gone well.
The marathon attracted three Kenyans and one Ethiopian who added to the flavour with the women’s title in the 42.2km event going to the East Africans (Kenya.
School of Mines had last year organised the Half Marathon and in 2024, to coincide with the college’s 90th anniversary it was decided that a full marathon be hosted.
“We are really happy this is the second marathon that we are hosting, it started last year. This year, we had a bit of increased interest in athletes. We managed to get over 500.
“We managed to get some foreigners coming through, we had three Kenyans, we also had an Ethiopian. We feel that the event is getting attention. In terms of sponsorship, we think quite a big number are coming on board,” said Gwaze.
He said corporates had also come on board to support the races.
While athletes were not happy with the rough track where there were potholes and rugged terrain, Gwaze said they may have drawn lessons from this year’s event, next year they will be back with an event bigger and better full marathon.
Rosina Kiboino of Kenya who had previously had a best time of two hours 42 minutes, claimed the women’s title after finishing the 42.2km event in two hours 52 minutes 13 seconds. She said it was her first time running in Zimbabwe and found the weather quite good.
Ashe complained of the rough road they ran on for the better part of the distance.
Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Phillipa Dube was second in two hours 54 minutes 48 seconds with Anne Chirisa third in two hours 59 32 seconds.
Real Stars of Harare athlete, Gamuchirai Tsveta could be fast becoming an athlete of note as he bagged his second 42.2km title. He won the CBZ Marathon last year and is under the tutelage of klegendary Benson Chauke of Kuwadzana, Harare who has coached two athletes Cuthbert Nyasango and Isaac Mpofu to sub two hours 10 minutes and national record status.
Tsveta kicked with 10km to go and ran himself to first position beating a good field that had chased Elijah Mabhunu for 30km. At one stage, the leader of the race had a gap of over 600m but fizzled out of the top five positions.
He was home in two hours 19 minutes 25 seconds.
Lyno Muchena eventually took second spot in two hours 24 minutes two seconds with Israel Mudimba third with a time of two hours 24 minutes 22 seconds.
Nicholas Nyengerai walked away with the grand masters gong in a time of three hours 28 minutes. He is a 1995 All-Africa Gmes gold medal winner in the full marathon.
Abednigi Mabhena was second with Corn Mabhena third in times of three hours 44 minutes 24 seconds and three hours 57 minutes respectively.
Andrew Dick won the 21.1km men’s event in one hour five minutes 20 seconds.
Tendai Zimuto who has made podium finishes a habit was second in one hour seven minutes seven seconds with Wellington Varevi third in one hour seven minutes 14 seconds.
Ethel Pangiso was the toast of ZRP Athletics Club winning the Zimbabwe School of Mines Half Marathon in one hour 30 minutes 40 seconds with Maku Nhamoinesu second in one hour 31 minutes 29 seconds.
Sithunyweyinkosi settled for third in one hour 32 minutes 19 seconds.
Winners in the full marathon walked away with US$400, while runners up pocketed US$300 and third placed US$250 in both the men and women’s categories.
In the Half Marathon winners went home US$250 richer, runners-up US$100 and third US$80.
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