Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS Caroline Mhandu shifts focus back to local competitions, she will be hoping to build on some of the lessons picked at the just-ended World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Mhandu was one of the seven athletes that represented Zimbabwe at this year’s edition in Tallahassee, Florida, United States on Saturday.
She placed 71 in the senior women’s 10km, in 38 minutes 38 seconds.
Her coach Collen Makaza said competing with some of the world’s best at the championships gives her the needed experience for other international events.
“This exposure is very important for Caroline’s development. Competing against elite athletes gives her valuable experience in pacing, tactical racing, and handling pressure on a global stage,” said Makaza.
“These races accelerate learning far more than local competitions and are critical as she prepares for higher-level championships.”
For now, the focus is on the upcoming Old Mutual Harare Marathon slated for next month and the CBZ Peter Gradwell Marathon in March.
Mhandu is expected to take part in 10km at both events before she goes for Two Oceans half marathon.
Makaza said they are also considering the Spar Women’s Challenge.
“The focus now is recovery, evaluation, and refinement. We will analyse this race, sharpen her speed and strength components, and target selected competitions that build towards peak performance.
“The long-term objective remains consistent improvement as she prepares for major international assignments,” said Makaza.
The distance runner was representing the country at the global stage for the first time.
Makaza also works with Wayne Kabondo and remains hopeful the athlete will rise from the disappointment at the World Cross Country Championships after failing to finish the race.
“Wayne is a talented athlete, but at this stage he is still adapting to the demands of high-intensity championship racing.
“It is not a setback but a learning point. We are addressing conditioning, pacing, and race management so that he builds the resilience needed to finish strongly in future competitions.
“Development is a process, and this experience will contribute positively going forward,” Makaza said.
For marathon runner Godwin Katakura, his coach Alden Muhoni said the ultimate goal is to improve his time.
Katakura managed a 49th place finish in 31 minutes 09 seconds in the senior men.
“The plan has always been to take his marathon time to well inside 2:09 in 2026 and this competition gives him the speed, endurance and exposure to re-imagine how he approaches his training sessions to post a good competitive marathon time at global level not just regional level.
“He fights hard and he doesn’t give up that easily. He now has all the attributes needed to work on a good marathon time.
“That has always been the goal with him and I think we are on track to achieve that,” said Muhoni.
Katakura will be hoping to emulate the likes of Isaac Mpofu, who has underlined his status as one of the best marathon runners to have emerged from this country.
