admin
Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Services Athletics Club are hoping for a clean sweep in tomorrow’s Exide Marathon, after they fielded representatives in all races.
The athletes will take part in the 5km, 10km 21km and 42km events at Old Georgians Sports Club in Harare.
ZPCS Athletics Club boast of veteran athletes like Jonathan Chinyoka, who is favourite for the 42km, Kelvin Pangiso, Nomore Wikiri and Patience Garauzive.
Training at their Chikurubi Maximum Prison base, where their member-in-charge Moses Gukurume is a sports fanatic, as he is Rainbow Amateur League secretary-general, the prison warders have the much-needed support.
Most of ZPCS athletes could not make an impact at the Cape Town Marathon over the weekend, and are now looking forward to improve on their performances.
Chinyoka, who won the last two races held before the national lockdown, says he is geared up for tomorrow’s race.
The long distance runner won the Old Mutual and CBZ Marathon before all sporting activities were put on hold.
“I am looking forward to doing well, in the coming race, as I have been training hard,’’ he said.
“We had challenges, after the Covid-19 induced lockdown, as we could not train as a team, but now that everything is back to normal, we are geared up.
“As a club, I believe we have good athletes and we are working as a team, and my hope is that we win all the races.
“There are good athletes who have managed to win previous races from our club and they are hopeful of doing the same.’’
Chinyoka, who pulled out of last week’s Cape Town Marathon after 38km, is also worried about the level of competition, which he is likely to face, at the weekend.
“Since we are coming from the lockdown, we are not sure how people have been practising and there can be some surprises.
“There are good athletes who have a point to prove and I have so much respect for them.’’
He will have to see off the challenge of top athletes like Prosper Mutivira, whom he beat twice into second place, in the last two races.
Then, there is Lionel Muchena and Munyaradzi Jari, knocking on the door, for honours.
In the women section, ZPCS club will put their faith in Garauzive, who has seen it all, in the races.
Garauzive, who always plays second fiddle to ZRP’s Olivia Chitate, is expected to challenge well in this Chloride Zimbabwe-sponsored race.
Online Reporter