THE roads came alive this past Sunday for the Nyaradzo-HAC Memorial Run, a day defined by commanding victories and a cruel twist of fate in the flagship wheelchair division.
While hundreds turned up to test their limits across four distances, the narrative of the day centred on the gruelling 32km Wheelchair Race.
The headline story was the unexpected exit of pre-race favourite Morlean Ali. Ali looked set to dominate the field until disaster struck in the form of a tyre puncture. The mechanical failure shattered his rhythm and forced him out of contention, leaving the door wide open for his rivals.
Munyaradzi Katiyo wasted no time seizing the opportunity. He powered through the course to claim the men’s title with a stellar time of 01:56:14. Veteran racer Elford Moyo chased hard but had to settle for silver, crossing the line eight minutes later, while Samson Muroyiwa rounded out the podium in third.
In the women’s wheelchair division, Stellah Jongwe proved untouchable. She blitzed the course in 02:10:01, finishing well ahead of runner-up Thandiwe Ndhlovu and third-placed Margaret Bangajena.
In the main 32km footrace, Blessing Z Waison produced a clinical performance. He broke the tape at 01:44:25, leaving Owen Slowly trailing by nearly two minutes in second place. The women’s race saw Rutendo Nyahora in a league of her own. She clocked 02:05:12, securing a massive nine-minute lead over second-placed Ethel Pangiso.
The Half Marathon provided the day’s most electrifying finish. In the women’s race, spectators witnessed a literal photo finish as Caroline Mhandu edged out Miriam Sibanda by a single second. Mhandu stopped the clock at 01:22:55, with Sibanda right on her heels at 01:22:56. On the men’s side, Godwin L Katakura took gold in a tight contest, finishing just ten seconds ahead of Tatenda Hove.
The shorter distances saw rapid paces. Wellington Varevi won the men’s 10km in a sharp 35 minutes, while Chidzivo Fortunate claimed the women’s title. In the 5km sprint, Roland Chitokwindo and Lisa Mataka took top honours in the male and female categories respectively.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
32km Wheelchair Race
Men: 1. Munyaradzi Katiyo (01:56:14), 2. Elford Moyo (02:04:43), 3. Samson Muroyiwa (02:06:49).
Women: 1. Stellah Jongwe (02:10:01), 2. Thandiwe Ndhlovu (02:41:56), 3. Margaret Bangajena (02:49:06), 4. Ratidzo Tomu (02:50:32).
32km Main Marathon
Men: 1. Blessing Z Waison (01:44:25), 2. Owen Slowly (01:46:05), 3. Author Chitara (01:49:27).
Women: 1. Rutendo Nyahora (02:05:12), 2. Ethel Pangiso (02:14:38), 3. Rudo Mhonderwa.
21km Half Marathon
Men: 1. Godwin L Katakura (01:03:26), 2. Tatenda Hove (01:03:36), 3. Simbarashe Mabhonga (01:06:37).
Women: 1. Caroline Mhandu (01:22:55), 2. Miriam Sibanda (01:22:56), 3. Constance Nyasango (01:33:22).
10km Race
Men: 1. Wellington Varevi (00:35:01), 2. Alfred Kandeya (00:36:17), 3. Nyasha Chiuswa (00:36:56).
Women: 1. Chidzivo Fortunate (00:38:28), 2. Melody Kaseke (00:41:06), 3. Thobekile Ncube.
5km Fun Run
Men: 1. Roland Chitokwindo (00:18:40), 2. Edson Nyadembera (00:20:08), 3. Mandaza (00:24:49).
Women: 1. Lisa Mataka (00:23:55), 2. Masasa (00:27:31), 3. Nyasha Mkurunyorova.
