Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR national long- and middle-distance runners’ head coach Benson Chauke, the recent performances by Moses Tarakinyu and Tendai Zimuto at the BMW Berlin Marathon are an indication of the progress local runners are making on the international stage.
Tarakinyu became the second Zimbabwean runner to run sub-2:10 this year. He clocked 2 hours 8 minutes 26 seconds at the recently held BMW Berlin Marathon in Germany.
Godwin Katakura was the first to complete the ADAC Marathon Hannover in 2 hours 8 minutes 47 seconds in April.
“This is a homegrown solution. So, with time and the resources, things are changing for Zimbabwe. We are getting better slowly and slowly,” declared Chauke. Chauke believes such performances give the athletes a good chance of becoming part of the field at next year’s World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
“As a country, I think, even if we don’t get people that will win, or get the actual qualifying time at 2:06, if we have more of our boys running closer to 2:06 not once, but maybe twice or three times, then it gives them an opportunity to earn points so that they can now be considered to go and run the World Champs.
“Tarakinyu has a 2:08, very impressive. Godwin has a 2:08, very impressive.”
