Double delight for Zim at Two Oceans Marathon
CAPE TOWN - Zimbabwean runners reigned supreme in the half marathon of the Two Oceans Marathon this morning, with debutant Moses Tarakinyu triumphant in a three-way sprint finish while Fortunate Chidzivo won the women's race at a canter.
Tarakinyu, competing in the colours of Nedbank Running Club, kept up with the lead bunch throughout and beat defending champion Elroy Gelant into second place, his winning time of 63:31 a mere two seconds ahead of his rival.
Another South African runner Desmond Mokgobu came in third place asthe top three were engaged in a thrilling fight to the finish line.
"I am very happy with this first place," Tarakinyu said at the finish. "It is my first time to take part in the Two Oceans. I struggled a bit from the 17km and I kept looking at where Elroy was."
The women's race was literally a no contest very early on with Chidzivo running all by herself for most of the race.
The 35 year-old athlete's delight knew no bounds as she approached the finish line punching the air in celebration of a victory she'd been chasing for long.
"I had stomach cramps and was vomiting last night so to be able to win this is such a pleasure. This is a dream come true. Every year my wish has always been about stenting on that top podium."
Chidzivo finished the race in 74:49, a staggering 25 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Kore Tamiru Gelaye while another Zimbabwean in Caroline Mhandu cam third.
Laura Labuachagne was the first South African home in fourth place with a time of 65:49. —