Three in a row for Chitate

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
OLIVIA Chitate yesterday won her third consecutive 10km Old Mutual Nkulumane Fun race in the women’s category clocking 33 minutes 40.71 seconds while Elijah Mabhunu romped home in 29 minutes 50.23 seconds to win the men’s run.

Chitate and Mabhunu each took home $1,000 for their efforts.

It was double joy for Chitate as she bettered her 2014 time of 34 minutes 07.09 seconds. The Harare-based athlete won the 2013 edition in 35 minutes 32.71 seconds.

“It feels great to win this race for three consecutive years. The competition was tough. All the women gave their best and I must say that’s why the time is better than last year because we were pushing each other. We were neck and neck with Constance Nyasango and I only left her with about 3km left,” said Chitate.

Nyasango was second in 34 minutes 25.42 seconds to claim the $750 prize money with Patience Murove a distant third in 38 minutes 31.68 seconds. Murove got $500 for her efforts.

The race, which attracted 530 athletes, started and finished at Nkulumane Mall.

Athletes ran along Siyephambili Drive, turned right into Rangemore Road; passed through Bullet Shopping Centre along Queen Elizabeth Road and Mqamlazwe before turning right at the Nkulumane 12 Roman Catholic Church to join Ntemba road.

They then turned right again at the Khami/Ntemba intersection robots and raced to Nkulumane Mall for the finishing line.

In the men’s category, Mabhunu shrugged off the challenges of pre-race favourite George Majaji and top athletes Lewis Masunda, Isaac Mpofu and last year’s runner-up Wirimayi Juwawo, who failed to make it into the top five.

Mabhunu’s 29 minutes 50.23 seconds time was 24 seconds slower than the 29 minutes 24.63 seconds run by the 2014 winner Cuthbert Nyasango, who did not participate at yesterday’s event.

Mabhunu said he was using the race to prepare for the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon set for the end of the month.

“I enjoyed this race a lot because the field was made up of competitive guys who really pushed me. It was only at the half way mark when I decided to break away from Majaji because I knew that if we went together up to the last kilometre he was going to give me problems,” said Mabhunu.

“Now my focus is on the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon and the regional police games set for July in Swaziland.”

Masunda was third in 30 minutes 22.13 seconds while Mpofu came fourth, 10 seconds later to take home $300. Givemore Mudzinganyama crossed the line in 40 minutes 46.32 seconds to get a $100 consolation prize.

Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Athletics Board thanked Old Mutual and athletes for making the fun race a success.

“We’re overwhelmed by Old Mutual’s continued support as well as response shown by athletes. As an athletics board we believe that the objectives of the race were met. We had youngsters, seasoned athletes and those who participated for the fun of it. I believe everyone enjoyed and we hope for a bigger 2016 race,” said Bab chairman Manuel Mpofu.

Results

10km Race

Open

Men: 1. Elijah Mabhunu (29mins 50.23sec), 2. George Majaji (30mins 15.34sec), 3. Lewis Banda (30mins 22.13sec), 4. Isaac Mpofu (30mins 31.82sec), 5. Givemore Mudzinganyama (30mins 40.55sec)

Women: 1. Olivia Chitate (33mins 40.71sec), 2. Constance Nyasango (34mins 25.42sec), 3. Patience Murove (38mins 31.68sec), 4. Faith Nyasango (38mins 40.08sec), 5. Sharon Tavengwa (40mins 46.32sec)

Juniors

Men: 1. Jay Kuveya (31mins 37.07sec), 2. Richmond Tinorwa (32mins 32.46sec), 3. Hlalani Ngwenya (33mins 28.18sec)

Women: 1. Neva maganzo (45mins 37.47sec), 2. Sharon Taderera (47mins 18.37sec), 3. Cynthia Taderera (48mins 39.06sec)

Wheelchair

Men: 1. Elford Moyo, 2. Samson Muroyiwa, 3. Edmond Makutya

Women: 1. Thandiwe Ndlovu, 2. Ratidzo Tomu, 3. Margaret Bangajena

Veterans

Men: 1. Amos Chedondo, 2. Victor Ndlovu

Women: 1. Saneliso Sibanda, 2. Sophia Ndlovu

Masters

Men: 1. Kingstone Maringe, 2. Patrick Chipoyi

Women: 1. Samukeliso Moyo, 2. Tabitha Tsatsa