Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
LONG-DISTANCE runner Moses Tarakinyu is a happy man following his spirited showing at the BMW Berlin Marathon that saw him improving his personal best in Germany.
Tarakinyu completed the race in 2 hours 8 minutes 26 seconds, beating his previous personal best of 2 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds.
He becomes Zimbabwe’s second fastest marathon runner behind Isaac Mpofu, who is the national record holder with a time of 2 hours 6 minutes 48 seconds.
Tarakinyu overtakes Godwin Katakura, who posted 2 hours 8 minutes 47 seconds at the ADAC Marathon Hannover in April.
“Firstly, I would say I am delighted I made it into the top 20. It was something that I wasn’t really expecting, so obviously I am delighted.
“I am also really excited that I ran a personal best because my aim going into this race was to improve my personal best from 2:13, so it’s something I am excited about because it went according to my wish.
“I am grateful,” said Tarakinyu.
The Berlin Marathon was his first major race in Europe and Tarakinyu said it was an eye-opener.
“I can say this is a different race from the other races I have been to. I was used to run in Africa, I did Cape Town Marathon of which those are difficult races because of the conditions, there are different challenges sometimes it’s the weather, the course.
“So, these races such as Berlin are much better because you are also running top professional athletes that are capable of pushing for fast times, there are pacesetters that can help to achieve the pace you want.
“I learnt a lot. We have to train as a group so that we push each other during training like Kenyans and Ethiopians,” added Tarakinyu.
Tarakinyu, Katakura, Tendai Zimuto and Mpofu, who is the most experienced amongst the group are all hopefuls for qualification to next year’s World Athletics Championships.
Zimuto also ran the Berlin Marathon on Sunday and placed 27 in 2 hours 10 minutes 27 seconds.
On the other hand, Katakura is expected to be part of the field at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in Netherlands next month.
It will be his second race in Europe after the Hannover Marathon in April.
Mpofu is expected to have his first race towards qualification before the end of the year.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara commended Tarakinyu and Zimuto for the weekend’s performance in Germany.
Tagara said it is encouraging to see the likes Zimuto, Katakura and Tarakinyu following in the footsteps of Mpofu.
“Good run from both boys Tendai and Tarakinyu.
“I think Tarakinyu had the best performance of 2:08. Still, I am happy that Tendai finished the race at 2:10, it’s still a good time.
“And it’s a good time that he can still get a good opportunity to run again in Europe.
“Our target is for them to run at least three marathons in Europe, which will help them to score more points so that even if they fail to qualify by standard, they can qualify by points so we are working on that one so that they will qualify.
“At least I am happy that we now have three athletes who are running 2:10 and below which is a very good indication for a good team for Beijing,” said Tagara.
Already Zimuto, Katakura and Tarakinyu have had a test of the competition in Europe this year.
The NAAZ president is confident they stand a good chance of fielding a full team in the men’s marathon next year.
