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Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe vice president Pamela Fulton says they are looking forward to an exciting event when they host the second Duathlon National Championships this weekend at Donnybrook.
The championships, sponsored by Evolution Insurance Company Zimbabwe, will see participants competing in the 20+ age-group, junior sprint, which is for athletes between the ages of 16 and 19 and youth super sprint (12 to 15 year-olds).
Duathlon consists of running and cycling.
Some of the races lined up for the day include the du-sprint, consisting of a 5.5km run, 19.25km bike and 2.75km run and the du-sprint made up of a 2.75km run, 11km bike and 2.75km run.
The championships will also include non-championship events on the programme for all age groups.
Fulton said they are positive of a huge event based on the response they have received from their members.
“We have had a lot of interest lately about our duathlon national championships. So we are hoping for a good turn-out, similar to last year. I have been reliably informed that last year’s medal winners will be back this year defending their titles.
“Our South Africa based athlete Patrige Chimwendo, who competed for Zimbabwe at the World Triathlon Multi-sport Championships in Ibiza, Spain, is making every effort to travel to Zimbabwe to compete. So we hope for a very high level, close race,” said Fulton.
Some of the defending champions from last year include Anje Van As, who was crowned champion in the Youth Girls ahead of Racheal O’Donoghue and Nicole Madya. Jessica Fuller won the Junior Women.
Rohnan Nicholson is the defending champion in the Youth Boys while George Ascott won the Junior Men, and they are expected to grace this year’s championships.
Triathlon Zimbabwe staged their first duathlon national event last year in July as they sought to explore other areas and diversify to attract more competitors.
However, this year it is coming at a time when athletes are already gearing for the new triathlon season and presents them with an opportunity to measure their readiness for the 2023/2024 season expected to also get underway next month in Harare.
Prior to the national event, the national association staged a mid-winter duathlon event to give their members something to look forward to during the triathlon off-season.
The national association is also preparing for the Africa Triathlon Cup Blue Bay and the Africa Championships scheduled for Mauritius and Egypt in September and October respectively.
“Duwan Botha is travelling to the Blue Bay event, which is followed by a junior development camp, where I have been appointed as head coach.
“Callum Smith and Rohnan Nicholson will be competing in the Youth Super Sprint Africa Championships event in Egypt, in October,” said Fulton, who is also the national coach.
Fulton also confirmed their triathlon 2023/2024 season is due to burst into life on September 17 with the first event set for Mount Pleasant Pool.
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