UNHERALDED Andrew Chimbidzikai of Black Rhinos Athletics Club won the inaugural Masiyephambili marathon that celebrated 70 years of Bulawayo’s existence as a city yesterday.
BY RONALD MOYO
He won the men’s full marathon in two hours 15 minutes 32 seconds, while clubmate Simbarashe Chikaka claimed the half marathon, finishing in one hour five minutes 50 seconds.
Chikaka got the better of Phathisa Ngwabi to win the half marathon, while Chimbidzikai beat Gilbert Mutandiro of Lobels and the pre-race favourite Nkosiyazi Sibanda to win the 42km race.
For winning the half marathon, Chikaka grabbed $500, Ngwabi got $400 for coming second and Elijah Mabhunu received $300 after coming third.
In the women’s category of the full marathon, Lizzy Chokore walked away with $1 500 after she completed the race in two hours 56 minutes five seconds, being the only female finishing the race.
Both Chimbidzikai and Chokore failed to beat the outstanding national full marathon records.
In the men’s category Tendayi Chimusasa holds the record after finishing the Hamburg marathon on two hours 10 minutes 57 seconds in Germany, while Tabitha Tsatsa boasts a record time of two hours 29 minutes 20 seconds which she set in the Seoul Inter marathon in South Korea back in 2008.
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“The race was tricky, but I fought hard to make sure that at the end of the day I came first. Nkosiyazi and Gilbert gave me stiff competition leading from the beginning of the race until I beat them in the last kilometre, thanks to my endurance and good finishing strategy.
“I had reserved energy specifically for that last point. As soldiers we fight to our last breath,” Chimbidzikai said.
Sibanda said: “It was not my day. I tried my best, but unfortunately I lost the race in the dying stages. I would like to congratulate Andrew for winning the race,” Sibanda said.
For winning the 42km race Chimbidzikai walked away with $1 500, Mutandiro pocketed $600 for coming second while Sibanda got $400.
Olivia Chitate of ZRP Harare continued with her form as she won the female half marathon race with an improved record as she crossed the finishing line in one hour 19 minutes 16 seconds.
She beat Sithulisiwe Zhou who finished in one hour 20 minutes 10 seconds with an improved time after she won the Joshua Nkomo half marathon in September in one hour 23 minutes 35 seconds.
Chitate walked away $500 richer, Zhou received $400 for coming second while Constance Nyasango grabbed $300 for coming third.
Elford Moyo won the men’s wheelchair 21km race, finishing in one hour seven minutes 36 seconds to grab the $250 first prize money.
Samson Muroyiwa finished second in one hour eight minutes two seconds taking home $200, while Katiyo Munyaradzi who came third in one hour 15 seconds 17 seconds received $100.
In the women’s wheelchair category, Margaret Bangajena finished the 21km race in one hour 42 minutes 56 seconds to pocket $250, while Madzivire Magodetere walked away with $200 for coming second.
Corporate institutions that sponsored the marathon are AutoWorld Bulawayo, Dunlop, BancABC, PPC, Edgars, Southern Eye and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
The prizes where presented by Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo, who was the guest of honour at the event that attracted more than 500 athletes.
The marathon organising committee chairperson Thamsanqa Ncube hailed the event that saw the participation of athletes from all over the country as a success.
“The event was a success though we delayed the start due to circumstances beyond our control, besides delaying the event went well,” Ncube said.
