dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER claiming a fifth finish on her debut at the Comrades Marathon last year, Zimbabwean distance runner Nobuhle Nobukhosi Tshuma is aiming for a top three finish at the forthcoming edition.
The South Africa-based runner was part of the field on Sunday for the CBZ Marathon and finished second, behind seasoned runner Fortunate Chidzivo.
Chidzivo was full of praise for Tshuma for providing the needed competition in the women’s race.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the CBZ Marathon, Tshuma said it was part of her preparations for the Comrades Marathon.
And is aiming for the top three.
“Last year I was number five, so this one is part of preparation for my Comrades.
“That was my first time and coming in fifth. This year I am challenging for the top three.
“Coming here, I just want to be familiar to the people from Zimbabwe because they just know that there is Nobuhle who runs.
“Last year we were here for the awards. I said if there is anything here, I just want to attend so that people get to know me, and when I run Comrades, they can cheer for me and stuff,” said Tshuma. This year’s edition is set for June 8.
According to the race website, this year, it will be a down run starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban.
The distance is approximately 89 km.
Tshuma said she was happy to be racing back home, having started her career in South Africa more than a decade ago.
“Today it was an amazing day for me.
“I am proud to come and run here; it’s home. I think it’s my second race in Zimbabwe.
“The route was a bit challenging. But as a Comrades runner, it’s a good preparation.
“Last weekend I was running in Botswana. I just decided to come here and run . . . I am happy for the support that I get here . . . I am so grateful.
“I started my career in South Africa back in 2012. I became a professional in 2016; that’s when I took my running seriously. “I am proud because I think I am the first Black female Zimbabwean athlete to finish in the top 10 in Comrades,” Tsuma said.
She paid tribute to her cub in South Africa, Entsika Athletics Club, and sponsors that continue to support her journey.
“What I have noticed, especially among Black female runners continentally, is that there are few runners that are taking Comrades seriously.
“As a runner, I just said, ‘Let me go and try . . . My goal was to finish in the top 10.
“I am looking forward to this year’s Comrades and to going there and then either winning or finishing in the top three,” added Tsuma.
Several Zimbabwean athletes, back home and South Africa-based, each year, join hundreds of runners at the Comrades Marathon.
Some of them have posted impressive performances, with Stephen Muzhingi etching his name in the history books of the Comrades Marathon after winning the title three times.
Online Reporter