Ncube (24) won the race in 40 minutes 53 seconds, ahead of second-placed Jonathan Chinyoka (41 minutes 44 seconds) who represented the Harare province. Chinyoka’s teammate, Millen Matende finished third in 41 minutes 49 seconds. Winning the national race was a morale booster for Ncube who is expected to raise the country’s flag high in the Southern African Region Cross Country championships, to be held in South Africa’s port city of Cape next month.
“I worked very hard for this race and I’m happy my hard work has paid off. It gives me hope and confidence that if I use the time I have before my next race in Cape Town, I will be able to bring a medal there,” he said. Harare province ruled the senior women’s 8km race when Constance and Faith Nyasango finished first and second in a time of 33 mins 10 seconds and 33 mins 29 seconds, respectively. Their closest challenge came from Matabeleland South’s Thandiwe Nyathi who crossed the line 47 seconds after the first runner-up.
The Under 20 Women’s 6km race saw Matabeleland’s Sikhululekile Moyo crossing the line first for the gold medal in 23mins 51 sec ahead of Sithulisiwe Zhou of Midlands province (24 mins 07 seconds). Selusiwe Ndlovu of Matabeleland South came third after finishing the race in 25 mins 05 seconds.
In the men’s 8km race Jacob Mugomeri of Mashonaland West became the first runner to cross the finish line in 27 mins 42 seconds followed by Bright Mahembe of Midlands who finished in 29 mins 20 seconds. Third athlete to finish the race was Bulawayo’s Gilbert Chimina (29 mins 36 seconds.)
Post published in: Athletics