Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BLESSING WAISON finished third on his debut at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town over the weekend.
The Zimbabwean long-distance runner clocked 3 hours 11 minutes 13 seconds in his first attempt at the ultra distance, going well beyond his pre-race target of a top-10 finish.
“I had a good race.
“I am really happy because I made the top three. I wasn’t expecting it.
“But at some point, during the race I felt like it was possible to win the race. I wanted to win the race but since it was my first time, I lacked experience and at some point, I mixed up my calculations.
“I didn’t have the experience at this level. But I thank God I managed my race well,” said Waison.
The Cadence Athletics Club runner stayed with the leading pack for most of the race and even took charge at some point, but the last stretch proved decisive as the more experienced runners came through.
South Africa’s Arthur Jantjies won the race in 3 hours 9 minutes 25 seconds, with compatriot Onalenna Khonkhobe second in 3 hours 10 minutes.
Waison stuck to his race plan despite the pace and conditions.
“The competition was tough because there were top runners from Kenya, Lesotho, and since it was my first time.
“I was just focusing on the pace we agreed with my coach so, I was just running my own pace based on my coach’s instructions.
“It’s a tough course, there is too much uphill, the downhill is also very difficult. But I managed to maintain my pace. Overall, I can say it was a good race.
“Now I am going back to my usual 42km races. For now, I am done with ultra marathon, I will come back next year,” Waison said.
He credited his coach Alden Muhoni and sponsors Real Star Security for their support.
In the women’s race, South Africa-based Nobuhle Tshuma also finished third in 3 hours 38 minutes 34 seconds, while Loveness Madziva came 10th in 3 hours 48 minutes 54 seconds.
South Africa’s Gerda Steyn won in 3 hours 27 minutes 43 seconds, with Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba second in 3 hours 33 minutes 31 seconds. Waison and Tshuma each received R100 000 for their podium finishes. Winners took home R380 000, with runners-up getting R220 000.
In the Half Marathon, Fortunate Chidzivo finished second in the women’s race in 1 hour 16 minutes 29 seconds.
Namibia’s Lavinia Haitope won in 1 hour 14 minutes 36 seconds, while Emma Browne of Great Britain was third in 1 hour 18 minutes 9 seconds.
Kenya dominated the men’s race, with Felix Masai winning in 1 hour 3 minutes 17 seconds ahead of Shadrack Musyoka and Joshua Mengich
