TARAKINYU IN TOP 10

Ellina Mhlanga

LONG DISTANCE runner Moses Tarakinyu says his top 10 finish at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, in South Africa, yesterday is an encouraging performance as he transitions to marathon.

Tarakinyu clocked 2 hours 13 minutes 11 seconds to cross the finish line on position nine.

The Harare-based athlete, who specialises mostly in 21km and 10km events, is shifting his focus to marathon with the ultimate goal of making the World Championships in the future.

It was his second attempt in a marathon having attended the Durban Marathon in April but could not finish the race.

And after completing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon yesterday, Tarakinyu said he is grateful for making it to the finish line.

“I learnt that, maybe, during our preparations we need to increase or work more on pace training. But we are almost there, I can’t complain.

“It was a tough race. So, I am grateful for being able to finish. As I said going into the race, I just wanted to get the experience, assess myself and just to see if I could finish,” said Tarakinyu.

Abdisa Tola Adera of Ethiopia was the first to cross the finish line in 2 hours 8 minutes 15 seconds.

Fellow Ethiopians Adane Kebede Gebre and Mitku Tafa Dekeba were second and third in 2 hours 8 minutes 32 seconds and 2 hours 10 minutes 10 seconds respectively.  Tarakinyu, who has been training under the guidance of Cuthbert Nyasango said they will now decide on their next race.

“We will talk with my coach on the way forward after this. “But after today, I am no longer afraid of running a marathon. I now believe in myself, I am able and I believe I have the potential to compete with some of the best,” said Tarakinyu.

The women’s marathon was won by South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba in 2 hours 22 minutes 22 seconds.

Mare Dibaba Hurssa of Ethiopia was second in 2 hours 22 minutes 36 seconds and on third place was Pascalia Chepkogei of Kenya with a time of 2 hours 22 minutes 49 seconds.

Tendai Zimuto also made the top 10 at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon yesterday. He finished 10th in 2 hours 9 minutes 43 seconds.

The post TARAKINYU IN TOP 10 appeared first on H-Metro.