The Sunday Mail
Lawson Madzivanyika
TENDAI Zimuto continued his dominance of the local long distance running circuit, cruising to victory at the Commissioner-General of Police 21km Road Race in Chitungwiza yesterday.
Zimuto clocked 1:04:09 minutes in the tightly contested race in which he beat pre-race favorite Jacob Mugomeri who finished fifth.
However, there was a shocker in the woman’s race as Conistance Nyasango (ZRP) crossed the line first ahead of Chiedza Chikore (no club) and Olivia Chitate (ZRP).
Nyasango, who has been playing second fiddle to Chitate for the past couple of years, finally proved her mettle.
Kuwadzana Sports Club athlete Zimuto walked away with US$1 000 for winning the race, while Misheck Sithole and Carnicious Nyamutsita got US$600 and US$400 respectively after finishing second and third.
In a highly competitive field of some of the country’s finest long distance runners, all the attention seemed fixed on the ever-growing rivalry between Mugomeri and Zimuto which dates back to February this year.
It was at the Nation Cross Country Championships that Mugomeri won his first race of the year when he beat Zimuto.
The two then traded wins during last weekend’s Bulawayo Inter-provincials as Zimuto claimed the 5 000m while Mugomeri took the 10 000m race.
“I am very happy to have won this race against seasoned athletes, although I could have done better. The weather affected me because it was windy, in the morning, and I believe I could have done better in terms of time,” said Zimuto.
Police Commissioner Nonkosi Ncube said she was pleased with the field for yesterday’s race, which she said was testimony of the increasing popularity and competitiveness of the event.
“I am pleased with the number of athletes from across the country who participated in this event and the level of competiveness is high. I also want to wish them luck as they target qualification for the Summer Olympics,” she said.
