Story by Raynald Ngwarati
LONG-distance athlete Wayne Kabondo has set his sights on retaining the Mr Pace Post Insurance half marathon title when this year’s edition takes centre stage at the National Sports Stadium B Arena on May 10.
After reigning supreme in the previous two editions of the half marathon, Kabondo and the reigning women’s champion, Fortune Chidzivo, will go back in the hunt in about a month to conquer on a familiar track.
With the event scheduled for early May, 26-year-old Kabondo has outlined his ambitions having put in the work behind the scenes to dominate the circuit and better his times ahead of international events.
Kabondo will be eyeing not only a three-peat of the half marathon in as many years but also to capitalise on the recent certification of the race to grade the World Championships and the African Championships.
“Last time I was the defending champion and this year again I am the defending champion. So, I am not only targeting to win the race but also to improve my times for international events. I would like to thank all the sponsors and the organisers of this tournament.
“It is a bigger tournament now that it is under World Athletics and we have a chance to improve our times, and run faster so that we can qualify for the Olympics the World Championships and other races in Europe and other countries,” he said.
Meanwhile, the marathon’s principal sponsors are thrilled with the growth of the marathon after receiving recognition from World Athletics ahead of the fourth edition.
“We are happy with the growth of this event which is in its fourth year. We do not have athletes that are coming from other countries to take part and now we have had international recognition for this event where it can be used as a qualifier for the Olympics, the World Championships and the African Championship which is good for our athletes,” NicozDiamond’s Chief Executive Officer David Nyabadza
Kabondo has won the previous two editions of the Mr Pace Post Insurance marathon, but will most likely face stiffer competition this year as the event is expected to pull athletes from across the world after its World Championships grading status.
World Athletics certified the 21km and 10km races as qualifiers for the World Championships and Olympics respectively.
