Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
EXPERIENCED road runner Tendai Zimuto and unheralded Caroline Mhandu won the inaugural POSB 15km men’s and women’s events races held in Bulawayo yesterday.
The duo pocketed a cool $750 each for crossing the finishing line first in their respective categories.
Zimuto won the race in 49 minutes 26.19 seconds to beat rivals Wellington Varewi and Kelvin Pangiso, who gave him a slight scare, as they finished the race second and third respectively. Varewi took home $500 after crossing the line in 49 minutes 32.32 seconds, while Pangiso crossed in 49 minutes 39.09 seconds to bag $250.
Zimuto was elated to be the inaugural winner of the POSB sponsored race, which also had 10km and 5km fun runs, whose targets are health and fitness enthusiasts as well as up-and-coming primary and secondary school runners.
“Obviously I’m happy to be the first winner of this race and I thank the sponsors for supporting athletics. The race wasn’t that difficult because I had adequate preparations. When I shot into the lead after 7km, I felt it in me that I was going to win the race. I maintained my pace thereafter and had a good finish even though the other guys tried to come at me. I still had energy to take me through,” said Zimuto.
In the women’s race, Mhandu hit the rope in 57 minutes 31.19 seconds, with Rudo Mhanderwa striding home a minute later to claim second prize. Veteran runner Chiedza Chokore was third in 1hr 10 minutes.
The POSB title was Mhandu’s second of the year, having won the Tanganda Half-Marathon held in June in Manicaland.
“My preparations were tougher than the race which made it easier for me to win. It’s always good to win against some of the best runners and I’ll keep working hard to make sure that I realise my long-term goal of representing my country at the Olympics. I believe if I keep on participating in such competitions and improve on my time, it’s possible to qualify for the Olympics,” Mhandu said.
The race attracted 1 320 participants, with the bulk taking part in the 10km and 5km fun runs.
Results
15km
Men: 1. Tendai Zimuto (49mins 26.19sec); 2. Wellington Varewi (49mins 32.32sec); 3. Kelvin Pangiso (49mins 39.09sec)
Women: 1. Caroline Mhandu (57mins 31.19sec); 2. Rudo Mhanderwa (58mins 29.49sec); 3. Chiedza Chokore (1hr 10mins)
Wheelchair
Men: 1. Elford Moyo (47mins 07.29sec); 2. Samson Muroyiwa (53mins 38.39sec)
Women: 1. Thandiwe Ndlovu (1hr 19mins 05sec); 2. Margaret Bangajena (1hr 28mins 39sec).
—- @ZililoR
Online Reporter