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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
VETERAN Blanket Mine runner Nkosiyazi Sibanda’s rein as the champion of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon came to an end yesterday when he came second to Black Rhinos’ Millen Matende.

It was, however, nine-year-old Obey Makamu of Samathonga Primary School in Emganwini, Bulawayo, who stole the show in the half marathon, which he completed in one hour 13 minutes and 59 seconds alongside his father and trainer Brian Makamu.

The crowd cheered the boy as he finished the race in the top 20.

Obey said his aim is to challenge veteran runners and run the gruelling South African Comrades Marathon.

“I have run six kilometres before and my aim here was to beat the veterans, but unfortunately we lost our way a bit and that slowed us. This is my talent and I train with my father three times a week,” said Obey.

Matende finished the 42KM race in two hours 19 minutes and one second to pocket the $900 first prize, while Sibanda crossed the line 40 seconds later and went home with $750.

Matende (33) bettered his 2015 time of two hours 19 minutes and 56 seconds to upstage Sibanda. Sibanda was seeking a fifth consecutive title, but couldn’t improve on his 2015 time of two hours 19 minutes and 12 seconds, to finish in two hours 19 minutes and 35 seconds.

Sibanda said he lost it at the 36th kilometre mark when his shoe laces loosened.

“It’s always not easy to defend a title because you are the target, but I am happy with the outcome. I slowed down when my shoe laces loosened at 36KM and I will challenge for this next year,” said Sibanda.

Matende said it took him three years to finally wrestle the title from Sibanda.

“It’s my third time in this marathon and I have been training hard. Last year’s tough competition helped me to improve and I am happy. I let them go for most of the race and outpaced them at 30KM,” said Matende.

Zambia’s Mathews Mutanya finished third in two hours 19 minutes and 53 seconds.

Veteran Tabitha Tsatsa (43) of Powerhouse Athletics Club in Harare defended the women’s title when she maintained her 2015 winning time of two hours 50 minutes to beat Olivia Chitate and the Chokore sisters Chiedza and Lizzy from Mutare.

“I have been training hard and I’m not going to stop until I die. I didn’t have speed, but won through endurance as I managed to beat them after the 37KM mark. I am strong because I train youngsters,” said Tsatsa.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services’ Patience Murowe (28) won the 21KM women’s category and $500 winners’ cheque in one hour 19 minutes, beating her 2015 time of one hour 23 minutes to finish ninth.

Powerhouse’s Rudo Mhonderwa (20) claimed the runner-up’s berth and $350 just two minutes behind, while veteran Samukeliso Moyo (42) finished in one hour 31 minutes.

“I am a bit slow as I have reduced training, but I don’t intend to retire soon. It’s a matter of concentration,” said Moyo.

Last year’s winner Constance Nyasango was third in one hour 24 minutes.

Wirimayi Zhuwawo won the men’s half marathon in one hour six minutes and five seconds, beating Kelvin Pangiso of the ZPCS (1hr 6min and 16sec) and Zambia’s Costen Chiyaba in third place.

Over 700 people took part in the marathon.