Nyahora seeks to defend title

AFTER winning the prestigious Pretoria Spar Women’s Challenge race a fortnight ago, star female middle-distance runner Rutendo Nyahora feels she is in perfect shape to defend her Old Mutual Westgate Race title.

The 26-year- old runner has not abandoned her dream of participating at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“I am in good shape, I have been training for my first full marathon which is coming in December. Although I can’t say much about my Olympic chances now, because I haven’t run a marathon yet, that still remains a dream of mine,” said Nyahora last week from her base in South Africa.

Nyahora won the Pretoria race on August 31 in 34 minutes 54 seconds to cement her position as one the best middle-distance runners plying their trade in South Africa.

The Nedbank runner is also basking in glory following her nomination for the Zimbabwe International Women Achievers in Sport Award.

Nyahora, who set a new record of 73 minutes at last year’s Old Mutual Westgate Race, is heavily tipped to retain her title next weekend.

She comes into the race on the back of a remarkably series of results in this year’s major races.

Nyahora, who narrowly lost the 2014 Zimbabwe Sportswoman of the Year Award to female tennis icon Cara Black, has won the Tan- ganda Half-Marathon in 1:18:52 and the Chitungwiza 10km Race in 34:07.

The star, who is married to renowned road runner Lewis Masunda, came third in the Cape Town Spar 10km Race, second in the Victoria Falls Half-Marathon and third in the Port Elizabeth Spar Race.

Nyahora’s best time over 21km remains the 72m she ran in The Netherlands three years ago.

“Generally, the year has been good so far. I have participated in the most beautiful race, the Two Oceans, and have won several titles both in Zimbabwe and here in South Africa. Things couldn’t be any better for me,” she said.