adminLiberty Dube Sports Correspondent
LONG distance runners, Moffat Mistake and Tendai Chamwandoita have stepped up preparations for this year’s edition of the Comrades Marathon race to take place in South Africa on May 29.
The Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest and largest ultra marathon run over a distance of 90km (56,1 miles) between the capital of Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg and the coastal city of Durban.
The tough race alternates annually between the “up run” from Durban and the “down run” from Pietermaritzburg.
Speaking to Post Sport, the two runners expressed confidence that they would surpass their previous records and raise the country flag high despite the marathon being the toughest and most energy-sapping among all races.
Chamwandoita and Mistake who hail from Mutare and Guruve respectively, have both participated in previous editions and did fairly well.
Mistake first participated in the Comrades Marathon in 2013 and scooped a silver medal after finishing the race in six hours, 52 minutes. Last year, he again scooped a silver medal after finishing the race in seven hours, 18 minutes.
He was, however, dealt a major blow after he picked up an injury a week before the race.
Speaking from his Guruve base, Mistake said although he does not aim to win the coverted prize, he hopes to improve on his finishing time and surpass his previous records.
“I know pretty well that it will not be easy. The race is tough and requires only the strong ones. I am preparing very hard and I am glad that my body is in the right shape for the challenge. Unlike last year where I picked up an injury during the last days of my training, I am fit and hope to be cautious till the race day,” he said.
Mistake who said he was psychologically healing after losing his young brother’s wife last week, has so far participated in three Comrades Marathon races.
His counterpart, Chamwandoita, said he was almost ready for the race.
He, however, sang his now popular chorus of lack of sponsorship, saying he was struggling to raise money to buy nutritious foods and drinks such as Pfuko traditional drink, yoghurt and fruits among other things.
The lanky runner boasts of several international accolades including a Billrown medal he received at last year’s Comrades Marathon. He finished the race in seven hours, 53 minutes and 11 seconds.
“The preparations are going on well. I am ready for the battle. I have been training hard and I can safely say I am in the best shape ever. I am yet to raise bus fare and accommodation fees for my stay in South African from next week. I hope to raise the money if sponsors come aboard. I have been working on the little resources that I have because I am determined to raise my country’s flag high. I am ready for the contest and hope to do my best,” said the former Dangamvura High School student.
The Comrades Marathon first took place in 1921 and has been run every year since, except from 1941 to 1945 when it was stopped during the Second World War.
Venerated runner, Stephen Muzhingi, became the first Zimbabwean to come out tops in the Comrades Marathon in 2009 after he finished the race in five hours, 23 minutes and 27 seconds.
The fiery runner has been one of the country’s top notch runners alongside Mike Fokorani who is expected to be part of this year’s Comrades Marathon.
This year’s race starts at 5:30am and finishes at 5:30pm.
Online Reporter