The Sunday Mail
AS the 2014 half marathon season draws to a close, it’s difficult to ignore the exploits of one Rutendo Nyahora.
The 26-year-old, who is married to fellow long-distance runner Lewis Masunda, has dominated an exciting year despite facing fierce competition from the usual suspects.
In a year that seasoned campaigners like Olivia Chitate, Faith Kamangira and Constance Nyasango looked sharper than before, it had to take someone special to dominate the local women’s half marathon scene.
Nyahora was that woman.
With three major titles, namely the Old Mutual Westgate, Gutu and Vumba Mountains, to her name, the pint-sized athlete has been, without doubt, the leading female road runner this year.
Apart from the three titles, Nyahora also came close in the Tanganda and Old Mutual Bulawayo races where she came third, on both occasions coming behind her fierce rivals Chitate and Nyasango.
She revealed that the competition posed by Chitate and Nyasango brought the best out of her.
“You have to push yourself extra hard because you know there is Olivia or Faith breathing down your neck.
“If you have noticed, if it is not me crossing the line first then it is either Constance, Faith or Olivia . . . so when you lose one race, you come back stronger in the next one.
“Such level of competition has made half marathon more exciting, it is pushing athletes to improve their times,” said Nyahora.
Nyahora’s time of 1 hour 16 minutes at the Gutu Half Marathon was the fastest in the history of the race which is held in honour of the late Vice-President Simon Muzenda.
With close rivals Chitate and Nyasango breathing down her neck at the Old Mutual Westgate race in August, Nyahora had to summon all her energy and in the process set a new course record of 73 minutes.
However, Nyahora’s best time in the 21km version remains the 72 minutes she ran in Netherlands two years ago.
“My aim now is to run the full marathon next year as I seek to be eligible for the 2016 Olympic Games,” she disclosed.
“As a result, I will increase my participation in international 42km races, especially in Europe and I am confident I can make it.
“I still have a lot to offer; I feel I can go as far as 40 years on the road, just like Samukeliso Moyo my idol did.
“We have quite a number of good runners here in Zimbabwe, but the problem is that we are not being recognised . . . we need sponsorship for us to reach our full potential,” added Nyahora, whose early athletics days saw her pass through the hands of respected trainer Amon Nyaundi at Academy Stars.
The South Africa-based Nyahora runs under the Nedbank banner and is sponsored by international sportswear Nike.
The former Glen View High 3 student is back on the road today when she takes part in the Nkulumane 10km race which she has won over the past three years
“After Sunday’s (today’s) race, I will take a rest; my body is now tired,” said Nyahora, who also revealed that she runs 100km a week when preparing for half marathon races.
