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Sibanda makes it 4 out of 4 at Vic Falls Econet marathon

Sport
It’s four out of four for Nkosiyazi Sibanda! Sibanda successfully retained the Econet Victoria Falls marathon title yesterday morning, romping home in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes and 12 seconds.

It’s four out of four for Nkosiyazi Sibanda! Sibanda successfully retained the Econet Victoria Falls marathon title yesterday morning, romping home in a time of 2 hours 19 minutes and 12 seconds.

BY THANDIWE MOYO IN VICTORIA FALLS

His time was better than the 2014 mark of 2 hours 20 minutes 58 seconds.

For the victory, Sibanda took home $900 in cash after relegating Millen Matende into second place who finished closely in 2 hours 19 minutes 52 seconds.

In third place was Portipher Dombojena in 2 hours 20 minutes 37 seconds in a field from Zambia, Namibia, Brazil, Botswana and Tanzania.

The second-placed athlete received $750, $600 for third, $450 for fourth, $300 for the fifth athlete, $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50 for sixth up to the 10th athlete.

After the race, Sibanda said he was comfortable throughout the race as he started drawing away from the pack from the 36km-mark. Dombojena, Matende, Peter Tumbare, Lyno Muchena and Mike Fokoroni were in the leading pack from the start of the race, but with about 10km to go, fatigue crept in and some failed to keep up.

“I’m happy that I have retained the title for the fourth time. I was within the leading pack and I did not give up despite the fact that Portipher was leading at some point. I just kept within distance with Fokoroni and Matende, but because of experience, I created a gap between me and Matende when we got to the 36km mark,” Sibanda said.

Matende said his strength failed him at some point during the race because he felt fatigued and watched as Sibanda powered through to the finish.

“I was not really fit for the marathon. I last ran a full marathon in 2013 and came fourth in the Masiyephambili Marathon in Bulawayo. The route was favourable, but for now, I will concentrate on the shorter distances,” Matende said.

In the women’s category, veteran athlete Thabita Tsatsa emerged the winner in a time of 2 hours 50 minutes with Tanzanian Sharon Mueni second in 2 hours 54 minutes and Lizzy Chokore in third place in 3 hours 01 minutes 07 seconds.

Chokore beat her sister Chiedza who finished the race in fourth place in 3 hours 9 minutes 44 seconds.

Tsatsa said she was happy she finished ahead of the Tanzanian whom she passed at the 39km mark.

“She (Mueni) was leading the pack, but I realised that she would tire herself because of her speed. I didn’t know there was someone in front of me because when she took off she was fast and after 25km, I realised that she had slowed down a bit. That is when I started to make my move and I overtook her,” Tsatsa said.

Mueni said she developed pain on her calf and hamstring muscles and had to reduce her speed.

“I am a bit disappointed that she beat me because at some point, I developed pain in my muscles. This was my first marathon and it was tough. The terrain is tough, it’s hilly. I am developing more interest in the marathons and since I did well today (yesterday), I am going to be competing in more soon. I am looking forward to coming back next year and winning it,” she said.

Constance Nyasango won the women’s 21km race in 1 hour 17 minutes 53 seconds with South Africa-based Rutendo Nyahora coming in second in 1 hour 18 minutes 28 seconds and in third place was Patience Mukoki in 1 hour 21 minutes 33 seconds.

In the men’s category, Munyaradzi Jari was first in 1 hour 5 minutes 45 seconds, Tanzanian Panuel Mkungo second in 1 hour 5 minutes 51 seconds and in third position was Isaac Mpofu in 1 hour 6 minutes 7 seconds.

The winner of the half marathon received $500 with the second-placed runner getting $350, $300 for third, $250 for fourth, $150 for finishing fifth, $125, $100, $75, $50 and $25 for six to 10.