Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Moses Tarakinyu continues to make positive strides as one of the distance runners to look out for in Zimbabwe after securing a top-20 finish at the BMW Berlin Marathon yesterday in Germany.
Tarakinyu crossed the finish line in 17th place in a personal best of two hours, eight minutes and 26 seconds in the men’s race.
He has made a name for himself as one of the leading half-marathon runners in the country, dominating most local races.
Yesterday’s race was his third marathon since his first attempt in 2024 when he posted a time of two hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds at the Cape Town Marathon.
It was his personal best going into the Berlin Marathon, and clocking 2:08:26 yesterday was a positive for Tarakinyu.
Going into the race Tarakinyu said: “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.”
Also on the start line yesterday was Tendai Zimuto, and he clocked 2:10:27 to place 27th.Ethiopia’s Guye Adola was the first to cross the finish line in 2:02:50.
He was followed by fellow countryman Gemechu Dida Diriba with a time of 2:03:19.Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay clocked 2:03:59 to finish third.
Zimuto and Tarakinyu are some of the distance runners targeted by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe to try and secure slots at the World Athletics Championships to be hosted by China next year.
Zimuto is seeking his second appearance having been part of the previous championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Tarakinyu’s coach Cuthbert Nyasango could not hide his joy following yesterday’s showing by Tarakinyu.
“I think as a coach I am just happy to see the progression,” said Nyasango.” And you know, the sacrifice that this boy always puts in because remember he is not sponsored, most of the time he is putting his own personal resources to chase these times.
“So, I am impressed with the commitment in training and also knowing that some of these things need personal commitment, which is something he has been doing.
“I am happy and I am looking forward to more fast times for him.”
The qualifying time for the men’s marathon is 2:06:00.
However, the qualification system is a combination of entry standards and world rankings. Approximately 40 percent of the athletes to feature at the championships are 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 on the world rankings to stand a chance to qualify if they miss the set times for automatic qualification. For the previous edition, Isaac Mpofu and Zimuto qualified through the world rankings.
Nyasango believes with resources and support, Tarakinyu stands a good chance.
“I am just hoping that he will get some assistance along the way so that some of the things that we feel are supposed to be done he can afford to do them.
“But I am happy with the progression. We can be close. We can’t really say that we will qualify, but our aim is to be very close to that qualifying mark so that we can get opportunities for him to represent the country in the upcoming championships,” said Nyasango.
Ethiopia dominated in the women’s section as well, this time taking all the top three spots.
Tigst Assefa was the first to cross the finish line in 2:11:04. Bedatu Hirpa came second in 2:16:53 and Dera Dida was third in 2:16:55.
