Chronicle Editor
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
LONG-DISTANCE runner Moses Tarakinyu says his top 10 finish at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa yesterday is an encouraging performance as he transitions to marathons.
Tarakinyu clocked 2 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds to cross the line in ninth place.
The Harare-based athlete, who specialises in the 21,1km and 10km events, is shifting his focus to marathons with the ultimate aim of making the World Championships in the future.
It was his second attempt in a marathon having run the Durban Marathon in April but failed to finish the race.
After completing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon yesterday, Tarakinyu said he is grateful for making it to the finish line.
“I learnt that maybe during our preparations we need to increase or work more on pace training. But we are almost there, I can’t complain.
“It was a tough race. So, I am grateful for finishing. As I said, going into the race, I just wanted to get the experience, assess myself and see if I could finish,” said Tarakinyu.
Abdisa Tola Adera of Ethiopia won the race in 2 hours 08 minutes 15 seconds. Fellow Ethiopians Adane Kebede Gebre and Mitku Tafa Dekeba were second and third in 2 hours 08 minutes 32 seconds and 2 hours 10 minutes 10 seconds respectively.
Tarakinyu, who has been training under the guidance of Cuthbert Nyasango, said they will now decide on their next race.
“We will talk with my coach on the way forward after this. But after today, I am no longer afraid of running a marathon. I now believe in myself, I am able and I believe I have the potential to compete with some of the best,” said Tarakinyu.
The women’s marathon was won by South African Glenrose Xaba in 2 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds. Mare Dibaba Hurssa of Ethiopia was second in 2 hours 22 minutes 36 seconds and in third place was Pascalia Chepkogei of Kenya in a time of 2 hours 22 minutes 49 seconds.
Tendai Zimuto also made the top 10 at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon yesterday. He finished 10th in 2 hours 09 minutes 43 seconds.
Zimuto was chasing the qualifying time for next year’s World Championships of 2 hours 06 minutes 30 seconds but fell short.
The 29-year-old still has a chance to attempt as the qualification window closes on May 4 next year.
“I am happy with the results because even the first bunch that was expected to run 2:02:00 or 2:03:00 could not run that time and managed 2:05:00. There was a lot of wind, especially from 12km to around 28,29km, and even the pace setters struggled because of the wind.
“So, we had to really work hard after 28km. It was a tough race, it was painful and it was not easy. But I thank God for the outcome. I won’t lose hope,” said Zimuto.
Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Getachew won the race in 2 hours 05 minutes 38 seconds.
In the women’s category, Yalemzerf Yehualaw won the race in 2 hours 16 minutes 52 seconds.
Online Reporter