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Collen Makaza

Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
SEASONED Zimbabwean long-distance runner Collen Makaza had another successful adventure when he came fourth at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra-marathon in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday.

Makaza, who has over the years proved to be one of the best long-distance runners in the country, made an impression, coming fourth in 3 hours 12 minutes 17 seconds, surpassing his previous time of 3 hours 14 minutes 45 seconds last year.

The 36-year-old, who came second for two consecutive years in 2015 and 2016, however, could not defend his position this time around although he improved his time by two minutes.

Three-time Comrades ultra-marathon winner Stephen Muzhingi managed position eight in 3 hours 15 minutes 47 seconds.

South Africa’s Lungile Gongqa romped to victory in 3 hours 9 minutes 43 seconds, followed by Warinyane Lebopo of Lesotho in 3 hours 10 minutes 21 seconds.

His fellow countryman Teboho Sello settled for third place in 3 hours 11 minutes 48 seconds.

In the women’s race veteran runner Tabitha Tsatsa was the first Zimbabwean home in 4 hours 4 minutes 8 seconds to settle for position eight.

The title went to Maryna Damantsevich of Belarus with a time of 3 hours 37 minutes 13 seconds.

South Africa’s pair of Jenna Challenor and Tanith Maxwell were second and third in 3 hours 47 minutes 32 seconds and 3 hours 55 minutes 42 seconds respectively.

Olympian Rutendo Nyahora managed a top 10 finish in the 21km race when she came eighth in 1 hour 18 minutes 11 seconds while Rudo Mhonderwa, who represented the country at the World Cross-country Championships in Uganda last month was on position 10 in a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 53 seconds.

Irvette van Zyl was the first to cross the finish line in 1 hour 13 minutes 53 seconds and the men’s race was won by Namakoe Nkhasi defended his title in 1 hour 3 minutes 15 seconds.