HAB aim higher for the new season

HARARE Athletic Board vice chairperson Aaron Whyte says they are hoping to produce some of the best athletes that will make national teams this season.

HAB held their season opener cross country on Sunday at Allan Wilson School with participants competing in the cadets, youth, juniors and senior categories.

Speaking after the competition, Whyte said they were aiming to have more of their athletes making the national teams for various major competitions.

This year, some of the international competitions lined up include the African Games, Africa Senior Championships, Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.

“As Harare we are now looking at a bigger picture, how many of our athletes from the province are going to make it into national teams, that’s what we are focusing on.

“And coaches are working flat out to make sure that we have as many athletes who make it into national teams in all age-groups. It’s not like we are just targeting senior men or senior women but from Under-10.

“So we are expecting our athletes from NASH, NAPH and then our youths, our juniors and our seniors to do well in all categories. So our main focus is to produce national team athletes this year,” said Whyte.

The season opener was held in preparation for the selection event to be held on February 4 to choose the team that will compete in the national cross country on February 24. And it attracted some of the province’s top athletes in the senior men.

“The senior men’s race and Under-16 men’s race, both races were very entertaining, top quality and the athletes gave their all.

“Their times that they posted obviously because they were pushing each other, they ran very good times and we are expecting very good times coming into our selection event and then the nationals. We are actually expecting Harare to produce three or four national champions this year.

“This one is in preparation for (the national) cross country but next week we will be starting preparation for track and field.”

Among the top athletes that attended the cross country was Moses Tarakinyu, who came third and said he is looking at taking his preparation for the season a gear up as he seeks to compete in his first marathon.

Previously he has been focusing on half marathons and 10km races.

“Now I am preparing for marathon. I am hoping to run Durban International on 28 April if all goes well and that is if I don’t get a race in Europe.

“It will be my first marathon. I tried to chase times for 10 000m, 5 000m (to qualify for the Olympics) but it’s difficult to get those times here because you need a lot of support.

“But I believe marathon it’s much better. Most people can qualify through marathon. I want to try and qualify for the 2024 Olympics. If I fail maybe qualify for the World Championships.

“After that, I must run under 60minutes in half marathon, it’s the other goal I am hoping to achieve. My personal best is 61minutes,” said Tarakinyu.

He is working with Cuthbert Nyasango for his preparation.