Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR three consecutive years Moses Tarakinyu has dominated the Tanganda half marathon, virtually making the competition his own.
Now, the seasoned runner has declared he will be out to stretch his dominance when he takes to the starting line on Sunday morning at Mutare Sports Club.
Tarakinyu, who is the defending champion, has won the race for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025 and is hoping for his fourth title in a row.
The Black Rhinos Athletics Club runner said preparations have gone well and he is ready for the challenge on Sunday.
“My preparation for the Tanganda half marathon is going well.
“I have been mostly doing hill work because the terrain in Mutare its hilly, so I was working on a terrain that is similar to the one I am going to face in Mutare.
“It’s a tough course.
“I want to try and defend the title like I have done for the last three years.
“I know the competition is going to be tough, but I will try my level best to defend my title,” said Tarakinyu.
For Tarakinyu the secret to his success at the Tanganda half marathon lies in his training programme.
“I think the secret is where I do my training, the terrain is almost similar to the one for the Tanganda half marathon.
“It’s tough because whether I am going for a jog, for speed work . . . I encounter similar conditions.
Tarakinyu’s last race was in May in Chiredzi, Huletts Sweet Run half marathon.
Prior to that he had emerged tops, competing in the 21km races at the Old Mutual and Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathons.
Some of the top runners that have confirmed participation on Sunday are Blessing Waison and Godwin Katakura.
The have been in good form, and are both going for the half marathon.
Tarakinyu admits the competition has been improving over the years and he is expecting another tough race on Sunday.
“I know it’s a big challenge, and the competition will be very tough because those guys are very fit now. But I will try my level best.
“What I like is the fact that it’s now more of an international event, we are seeing Kenyans coming for the race, even when we talk of local athletes, they have been on the rise and the competition is becoming tough and tough each year.
“So, to win in such a tough competition it means a lot,” Tarakinyu said.
After the Tanganda half marathon, he is heading for the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon.
He will compete in half marathon again but this time the goal is to make the top three.
“I just want to manage a top three finish because I know that if I manage to win Tanganda, its impossible to win again in Vic Falls because some other guys, they are not participating in 21km at Tanganda race.
“They are aiming for the Vic Falls half marathon so some are doing 10km.
“The Tanganda race is painful because of the course, and there is no time to rest and recover because its just a week from Tanganda to Vic Falls,” said Tarakinyu.
In the women’s category Fortunate Chidzivo is the reigning champion.
“Unfortunately, entries closed before I registered, so I might do 10km for the first time ever,” said Chidzivo.
