Makaza for SA ultra-marathon
SEASONED long-distance runner Collen Makaza has set his eyes on the forthcoming SA Run 4 Cancer Ultra-marathon next month in Polokwane.
The 48km is slated for October 28 and Makaza’s preparations are gathering momentum after taking part in the Old Mutual Westgate half marathon on Sunday.
The former IAU 50km World champion said the 21km race was part of his preparations as he settled for 15th place.
“I can say I am now in the right direction, the way I performed here shows me I will perform better in my next race in October, the 48km(race). I am looking at the top three, that is my target.
“I have been doing hill work and speed work. And every Saturday I go for a long run for 2hours 30minutes to 4hours, so my preparations are shaping up.
“I am just going there for qualification for Two Oceans next year. You need to run an ultra-marathon before the Two Oceans and I just want to qualify in time so that I do things properly in terms of preparations.
‘’I don’t want to rush my preparations,” said Makaza.
Makaza managed a fourth place finish at this year’s Two Oceans in April.
For next month’s event he will be joined by Canisious Nyamutsita, Betha Chikanga, Fortunate Chidzivo and Anesu Jonasi from his Mr Pace Athletics Club.
But they will be taking part in the 21km race that is also on offer.
Nyamutsita and Chikanga are this year’s winners of the Old Mutual Westgate half marathon.
The annual race has become popular on the local scene and National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara paid tribute to Old Mutual for their continued support after hosting another successful edition of the Westgate half-marathon on Sunday.
This year saw the sponsors taking a step further to honour the top 20 from the usual top 10.
“One thing I like is this idea of spreading prizes, that’s the best decision…we are saying that little cake we have let’s share it.
“It means they are also getting positive mileage, the prizes they are giving are the same with those in South Africa. So their prizes are competitive.
‘’And Old Mutual has turned around the middle and long-distance races,” Tagara said.
The winners for both men and women got $3 000 each.
The NAAZ president was also impressed with the turnout with most of the top runners competing, including the trio of Millen Matende, Rutendo Nyahora and Fortunate Chidzivo, who were at the World Championships in London last month.