Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS Moses Tarakinyu shifts his focus to the BMW Berlin Marathon, coach Cuthbert Nyasango says his participation is a testament of the work they have been putting over the years.
The race is set for Sunday.
Tarakinyu, along with Tendai Zimuto, are scheduled to leave for Berlin, Germany today.
The Black Rhinos Athletics Club athletes are both earmarked for qualification for the World Athletics Championships due to take place in 2027.
Nyasango has been working with Tarakinyu for some time now.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the young man to go and explore.
“Sometimes if you don’t expose yourself to fast races or tough competition, you will remain a village champion.
“So, I think it’s a great opportunity for him to go out there and try and see where he is as an athlete compared to some of the best athletes that are in the world, because Berlin Marathon is one of the top marathons in the world.
“So, getting that experience or that invitation is a testament to the potential that people are seeing in him.
“From my end, as a coach, I think it’s also a testament to the work that we are putting in and the effort that is put in by the young man locally,” said Nyasango.
Tarakinyu has, over the years, dominated local races, mainly the 21km races. However, he ran his first marathon in 2024.
The Berlin Marathon, known for its flat and fast courses will be his third marathon.
His personal best is 2 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds.
For the World Championships, in the men’s marathon, the qualifying time is 2 hours 6 minutes.
While the idea is to have him try to secure a place at the next edition of the World Championships, Nyasango said being his first major international race, they would want to improve his personal best first.
“He has been dominating the half marathon. So, we are looking forward to seeing him try the marathon. My observation from a technical point of view, I think he is someone who is good for those types of races.
“We are looking forward to seeing him do his best, without really saying he is going to run the time because it is his first experience in the international race.
“So, our hope is he must go and improve his personal best and run a fast time so that we can get more opportunities, so that we can really chase the qualifying time for World Championships,” said Nyasango.
The qualifying window for the marathon, which opened on November 3, 2025, closes on May 2, 2027.
Athletes can qualify through entry standards or world rankings.
Zimuto, on the other hand, has been to the World Championships before after qualifying through the world rankings for last year’s edition.
And he is looking at making the cut for a second appearance next year in China.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub recently, Zimuto expressed confidence in his preparation and declared himself ready for the race.
So far, the men’s 4x400m relay team and 200m sprinter Makanakaishe Charamba have secured their spots at the next world meet.
