Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
LONG distance runner Moses Tarakinyu is hoping to impress on his first race in Europe when he takes part at the BMW Berlin Marathon next weekend.
He has been roped in by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe as one of the few marathon runners they are targeting for qualification to the World Athletics Championships in Beijing next year.
He joins Tendai Zimuto, who is also set to be part of the field at the Berlin Marathon.
“This is my first time running a marathon in Europe, so I just want to get some experience and a personal best. If it goes well, also chase the qualifying time.
“This is an opportunity I got along the way, I wasn’t expecting it because I just trained for two months,” said Tarakinyu.
The Black Rhinos Athletics Club runner has made a name for himself as one of the leading half marathon runners in the country, dominating most local races.
He has also had fruitful outings when he competes in South Africa over the years. His first marathon was in 2024 when he competed at the Cape Town Marathon and finished ninth in 2 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds.
His second attempt was last year at the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) Marathon in Francistown. And he won the race in 2 hours 14 minutes 15 seconds.
Tarakinyu said the Berlin Marathon, which is known for its flat and fast terrain is an opportunity to assess himself and push for a better time as he competes alongside some of the top marathon runners in the world.
“This is something important for me.
“I have been running for a long time, and I have posted some good times here in Africa, so with this opportunity I want to see if I can better that performance because in Europe the courses are faster and you can run a fast time.
“So, I just want to see how far I can go and what I can achieve.
“The courses here in Africa are tough, it’s difficult to run fast times. The courses and weather conditions are not really favourable if you want to run good times.
“I think this race will push me because there will be different groups in terms of the runners from those running 2:01, 2:05, 2:08, so I think I can push with the 2:08 group,” Tarakinyu said.
Tarakinyu has been training under the guidance of his coach Cuthbert Nyasango.
Head coach long and middle-distance Benson Chauke said they are monitoring four athletes for men’s marathon – Zimuto, Tarakinyu, Godwin Katakura and Isaac Mpofu.
They will compete in different races and the first two in competition are Zimuto and Tarakinyu.
“Moses also is doing his part with his coach, Nyasango. And Godwin Katakura is doing his part, also trying to qualify, working with his coach, Mr. (Alden) Muhoni.
“And we are all looking forward to this.
“Isaac is starting now to prepare for his race later in the year. So, these four are really the ones that are more focused on the World Championships qualification.
“Moses and Tendai will go to Berlin. And Godwin will go to another race in October. And hopefully, if all goes well, Isaac will also go for another race later in the year,” said Chauke.
They are chasing 2 hours 6 minutes.
The qualification system relies on a dual pathway model with approximately 40 percent expected to make it through the entry standards and 60 percent through the world rankings.
This means athletes can also push for performances that put them in a good position to stand a chance to qualify through the world rankings.
