Chronicle Editor
Geshom Nyathi, Sports Correspondent
ISAAC Mpofu, the Zimbabwe marathon record holder faces one of his toughest challenges as he takes on some of the world best runners which include Kenya’s world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge at the 127th edition of the Boston Marathon in the United States of America tomorrow.
This will be his second biggest race on the international stage after his remarkable performance at last year’s Oregon World Championships in the USA. It was at this global championship where he graduated and got his name among a long list of recognised elite marathon runners.
The 34-year-old Zimbabwe Republic Police Athletics Club runner posted an incredible top 10 finish to record a lifetime personal best and Zimbabwe men’s record in a respectable 2 hours 6 minutes 48 seconds.
Mpofu’s time was by the far the best of any other Zimbabwean runner prior and post-independence. Apart from the national record, the hardened marathon runner also broke the regional best time of 2hrs 6mins 55s which was set by the great and retired Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa at the London marathon in 2006.
After a thorough search of top class runners, the American organisers chose Mpofu to be in their top 15 runners who have all run below 2hrs 7mins in a standard marathon event.
They used this mark as a criteria to gather a strong field of runners for a race which has attracted over 33 000 competitors. The race which is loaded with star runners mainly from Kenya and Ethiopia will not be easy for the Zimbabwean, although he is looking at nothing short victory and scoop the first prize of US$150 000.
In an interview, Mpofu, who must have arrived in Boston on Friday could only say “I am ready for it”.
A closer race analysis and probably a confidence for Mpofu shows that his personal best time is a three seconds faster than last year’s winner Evans Chebet of Kenya who clocked 2hrs 6mins 51s. Chebet, who is vying to retain the title still has the upper hand having run a superb 2hrs 3mins 00s when he won the 2022 Valencia Marathon in Spain. The other top contenders with fastest times are the big Tanzanian Gabriel Geay, Ethiopians Harpasa Negasa and Shura Kitata.
Nonetheless – the multiple Olympic, world championships and world cross country champion Kipchoge, who holds the frightening world record of 2hrs 01min 09s – remains the favourite to win and boost his financial earnings as one of the greatest marathon runner of all time.
Well ahead of Monday’s competition, Kipchoge has been the most publicised figure in both print and electronic media, something that has put pressure on the shoulders of the great athlete. Kenya and Ethiopia have the most number of elite entrants, prompting a likelihood of a dark horse to spoil the party for the hot favourites.
Morocco and Eritrea have equally strong runners not to be under-rated. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe-USA based runner Pardon Ndlovu is also on the start list along with South African champion Frans Melikhaya. Ndlovu’s career is highlighted by representing the country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
He placed 41st in 2hrs 17mins 48s, so his appearance at Boston must be personal gratitude as an ardent distance runner. Ndlovu is a four-time all-American cross country and track and field performer.
Online Reporter