Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE Athletic Board coaches’ coordinator Mavhuto Tumba believes they are on the right track after staging their Track and Field Championships over the weekend with more than 200 athletes taking part at the University of Zimbabwe.
While they missed most of their top track athletes at the meet, distance runners such as Jonathan Chinyoka of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service and Tatenda Hove were among the participants.
Prior to the track and field meet, HAB held the season opener cross country a week ago.
“The numbers were a bit more for the track event, you could find two or three heats per age-group, which is good. Before, we used to know that road races would attract more people because some of them would be running for health purposes.
“It’s a good sign that we are in the right direction.
“This season it’s looking good because from the turnout, and considering that it was raining, you could actually see that athletes are ready to compete.
“For me, it was a good thing, and the turnout was alright,” said Tumba.
Hove, who won the season opener cross country, carried the momentum into the weekend’s competition to win the 10 000m event in 31 minutes 07.79 seconds.
Amaziah Chibvuri was second in 33 minutes 25.10 seconds, and Prayer Sipangani was third with a time of 33 minutes 31.16 seconds.
Hove also emerged the winner in the 5 000m in 15 minutes and 10.71 seconds, and he feels he is making progress as he builds up for the Two Oceans in South Africa, where he will compete in the half marathon.
“I think I am making progress, and it’s encouraging.
“The competition was better this time around. I ran against the likes of Jonathan Chinyoka; he pushed me until the halfway mark (in the 5 000m event).
“These events are good for my build-up, especially on speed.
“Also, you can assess your level of preparedness before going for major competitions.
“My first major event this year is Two Oceans; I will do a half marathon on April 6. From Two Oceans I am going for BTC in Francistown on 26 April, where I will also run a half marathon,” said Hove.
Tadiwanashe Kambazwi was second in 15 minutes 59.72 seconds, while Chinyoka came third in 16 minutes 05.56 seconds.
For Chinyoka, Saturday’s meet was part of his preparation for the Old Mutual Marathon in February and the Two Oceans Marathon.
“It was a good event as we lay the foundation for the upcoming races; that’s why we had to attend the event. It guides us even in terms of preparations because it’s a chance to assess and see if we are improving or making progress.
“And I still need to improve on speed,” said Chinyoka.
In the sprints, the likes of Dennis Hove, who was part of Team Zimbabwe at the Africa Senior Championships last year, had a good day when coming first in the senior men in 20.41 seconds.
After taking part in the season opener, Brenda Njodzi of Amen Academy was back in action and crossed the finish line 2 minutes 40.68 seconds in the 800m Under-20 women’s race.
While Taflow’s Abialbon Zhou emerged tops in the men’s category in 2 minutes 02.88 seconds.
With the season still in its infancy, athletes will be hoping to improve as they participate in more competitions.
