Zim shines at Oceans Marathon

Liberty Dube Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWEANS, Mike Fokoroni and Collen Makaza raised the country’s flag high after they came out tops in the men’s Two Oceans Ultra Marathon held last weekend in South Africa.

Fokorani was on pole position after finishing the 56 km race in 3 hours 13 minutes and 33 seconds, while Makaza was second after reaching the finishing line in 3 hours 14 minutes 45 seconds.

Lesotho-based Motlokoa Nkhabutlane finished third with 3 hours 16 minutes and 22 seconds.

Fokorani, who has a personal best time of 2 hours15 minutes and 12 seconds (Cape Town Marathon 2009), last managed sixth place (3 hours16 minutes and 55 seconds at the Two Oceans, which had been his highest position since running the race in 2010.

Makaza, who is contracted to the Toyota Running Club, is a record holder of Comrades Marathon half way 45km and Chatsworth marathon record holder 50km and the east London legends marathon 68km.

The prize money, according to the event’s website for the winners, were pegged at R250 000 and R125 000 for positions one and two.

South African, Ludwick Mamabolo who is the 2012 Comrades Marathon champion, crossed the line in 3 hours 17 minutes 55 seconds and was seated on position six.

More than 26 000 runners across the world took part in the tightly contested race which saw more than 200 Zimbabwean runners taking part.

44-year old Mutare-based runner, Tendai Chamwandoita won a silver model after he finished the race in 4 hours 38 minutes 56 seconds.

In an interview after the race, the runner said lack of resources hampered the smooth flow of his campaign.

He, however, paid tribute to Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene, who gave him bus fare to use to travel from Johannesburg to Capetown.

“I worked very hard under difficult circumstances. I reached Capetown a day before the race and I was very tired. Overtaking was also difficult since initially more than 17 000 athletes were ahead of me. Again, lack of resources hampered the smooth flow of my campaign. I could have done better with resources such as food and transport money to reach Cape Town earlier,” he said.

The Dangamvura-born runner said he was now shifting his attention to the more prestigious Comrades Marathon which will take place on May 29.