The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
EXPLOSIVE marathon runner Elijah Mabhunu will be out to assert his dominance on the local scene while inform female runner Rutendo Nyahora has pulled out of the $42 000 Gutu Half Marathon which explodes today.
Nyahora, who is fresh from winning the Soweto 10 km race in South Africa, is the defending champion in the ladies’ section while Zimbabwe Republic Police runner Mabhunu holds the title in the men’s category.
The South African based Nyahora will however not defend her title after a misunderstanding with the organizers over the prize money.
“When I asked them (organizers) about the prize money they didn’t say and I was left with no option but to cancel and wait for the Vumba Mountain race,” said Nyahora last Friday.
However, Gutu Marathon organiser Titus Madzingo said the prizes have remained at $1 000 for winners in both the male and female categories.
In the men’s section, Mabhunu goes into the race on the back of success at the Old Mutual Half Marathon held in September in Harare where he netted $3 000 for winning the country’s premier race.
Last year’s runner up Jacob Mugomeri of Zimpost and third placed Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine pose a serious threat to Mabhunu’s hegemony.
The absence of Nyahora could present veteran runner Constance Nyasango of Kuwadzana and Chiedza Chokore with a chance to seize the Gutu Marathon title.
Nyasango and Chokore came second and third respectively last year.
Madzingo said all was in place for another successful race.
“We have done all the preparations and the total budget for this year’s event stands at $42 000. We expect a large field of experienced runners,” he said. Last year Mabhunu crossed the line after 65 minutes 11 seconds while Nyahora romped home after 77 minutes 32 seconds. However, both times were a far cry from the world half marathon record of 52 minutes set at the Lisbon Marathon in 2010 by Eritrean runner Zersenay Tadese.
As usual, a Mercedes Benz ML 3.2 is on offer for the athlete who breaks Tadese’s record at the Gutu Marathon. The race is held annually in commemoration of the late Vice President Simon Muzenda.
