Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub.
TENDAI ZIMUTO returns to Enschede Marathon in Netherlands on Sunday as he begins his build-up to try and secure qualification for next year’s edition of the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for the US.
The marathon marks his first major race for this year, and he will be hoping to set the tone for the rest of the season, with the focus mainly on chasing qualification to the global meet.
He is expected to leave for the Netherlands today.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday ahead of his departure, Zimuto said while his preparations for the race did not go as planned, he will be out to give it his best.
“We had some challenges during training, and things did not go as we had expected when we started training.
“We could not polish up as we would have wanted in the last month. But I am going to try and do my best,” Zimuto said.
This will be his second appearance at the Enschede Marathon having lined up for the race in 2024, when he left some lasting memories for the Black Rhinos Athletic Club runner.
That maiden appearance in Netherlands was also Zimuto’s first international race, and he went on to run his personal best of 2 hours 9 minutes 30 seconds.
Netherlands seems to be a happy hunting ground for Zimuto who clocked 2 hours 9 minutes 43 seconds at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in the same year.
He then made the cut for last year’s World Athletics Championships in Japan courtesy of his world ranking.
It was the first time he was competing at the global meet.
After tasting competition at the global stage, Zimuto made it clear on his return from Tokyo, Japan, that he would want to regularly make the World Championships.
Zimuto will be hoping to build on his recent win at the Nyaradzo@25 Run where he powered to victory in 2 hours 23 minutes 17 seconds.
Coach Benson Chauke, who has been working with Zimuto is hopeful of a good show from the runner.
“This time we did not get the preparation that we usually have.
“But what we saw at the Nyaradzo race, I think it boosted his confidence.
“He ran well at Nyaradzo, so one can only hope that he will repeat the same feat . . . We are all hopeful that he will do well. He has been training well, so he is ready for the competition.
“We are hopeful with what we saw at Nyaradzo, maybe he can build on that, on a flatter, faster course, and then we will see if he can get the time.
“This is the first one he is doing towards 2027 Beijing World Championships,” said Chauke.
Meanwhile, World Athletics announced on Tuesday they will be introducing standalone World Marathon Championships from 2030.
According to World Athletics website, the marathon will remain a discipline at the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029 but will move to its own stand-alone championships the following year. It will become an annual event with the men and women competing in alternate years.
