Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Kenya’s marathon runner Isaac Kiplagat and Zimbabwe female runner Fortunate Chidzivo were crowned winners of the inaugural United Family International Church (UFIC) Patriarch Life half-marathon held in the capital on Saturday.
The marathon which was organised to celebrate the life of the Church’s leader Emmanuel Makandiwa turned to be a success in its inaugural edition, which saw more 1 000 runners converging at Westgate.
The event is part of the UFIC leader’s birth month celebrations
Kenya’s marathon runner romped to victory in the 21-km race in one hour 12 minutes 56 seconds to claim his first gold medal since moving to Zimbabwe three months ago.
“It is really exciting to have finally beat the deadlock as I have been finishing second in most of the half-marathon that I have raced since I moved to Zimbabwe.
“It is a good thing that I have won my first gold medal,” said Kiplagat.
He added that the flat track was key in his win.
“I think the track was flat and I believe it contributed to my win,” he said.
The Kenyan runner beat Kelvin Pangisa, who finished second in one hour 13 minutes seven seconds, while David Madzivanyika claimed bronze medal after finishing the race in 1 hr 21 min 46 sec.
The female half-marathon race saw Mr Pace Athletics Club dominating awards, claiming all the podium finishes in the women’s category.
Chidzivo, who is enjoying purple patch on the track after an injury set-back which kept her out of racing for a while, clinched the gold medal finishing the race in 1 hr. 17 min 12 sec.
Her compatriots at Mr Pace Athletics Club, Miriam Sibanda and Precious Makaza finished second and third in 1hr 20 min 1 sec and 1 hr. 47 min 1 sec respectively.
One of the race organisers, UFIC Pastor Hubert Chigumira, hailed the inaugural event as a success.
“It was really a successful event and we had massive turnout with the numbers exceeding our expected 1 000 athletes.
“We are really excited with how this has turned out to be a success and we are looking forward to having a bigger event next year as we seek to be a regular event on the athletics calendar,” said Chigumira.
