QUICKFIND

CHAZA BREAKS OWN RECORD IN 2008 AFRICA UNIVERSITY PEACE MARATHON

26 year old Zimbabwean, Point Chaza broke his own record in the 2008 Africa University International Peace Marathon when he completed the 42 kilometre race in 2 hours 27 minutes, two minutes less than his finish time last year. (2 hours twenty nine minutes and 11 seconds). Chaza walked away with USD1000 in prize money.

Chaza shook off fierce competition from one-time marathon winner, Tapiwa Chingadayi of the Zimbabwe Prison Service who clocked in three minutes later at 2 hours 30 minutes and 49 seconds and veteran athlete Perkins Mushaningwa who clocked in at 2 hours 33 minutes and 27 seconds.

In the female category, Tabitha Tsatsa, 36 of the Zimbabwe Republic Police club clocked in at 3 hours 17 seconds; winning the first prize of USD 1000 in the female category.  Last year, Tsatsa won the race in 2 hours 59 minutes.

Second place winner, Lizzy Chikore of Turnall Club walked away with USD500 at a running time of 3 hours 11 minutes and 41 seconds and Monica Kativu came in third, in 3 hours 14 minutes and 39 seconds, winning a prize of USD250. Chikore is also preparing for the Greatest Race on Earth, which will be held in Kenya, 0ctober 26. “I am training very hard, and going up the Christmas Pass has given me exposure to hilly terrains.”

The seventh edition of the Africa University International Peace Marathon took place on Saturday 20 September in Mutare with the race starting at the Africa University campus, off Nyanga Road, and ending at the Mutare Sports Club in Darlington.

Chaza took a decisive lead at the 20 kilometre peg; overtaking Chingadayi and Felix Musvuurwa.  He maintained his lead; becoming the first person to reach the peak of the Christmas Pass.  For this, Chaza won an additional prize of ZWD1 million and was crowned King of the Christmas Pass.

 “Going up the Christmas Pass last year was a real challenge, but today, I felt strong. I worked hard for it.” Chaza said he underwent intense training and would run up to 15 kilometres a day. He is currently based at the Ntabazinduna Training Camp in Bulawayo.

“I feel proud to have defended my title…. I have proved my worth, and I am a champion!”  said an ecstatic Chaza.

Tsatsa also won the Queen of the Christmas Pass and was fresh from representing Zimbabwe at the just ended Beijing Olympics in China. “I train everyday, and eat kilometres for a living,” said Tsatsa just after the race. She said she runs 8 kilometres every day and watches a strict diet. “The hilly terrain to me is like any challenge- it has to be overcome. Tsatsa is based in South Africa and is scheduled to compete in the Dublin Marathon, Ireland in October this year.   

In the half marathon event male category, Millen Matende, Black Rhinos Club clinched first position at  1 hour 10 minutes 42 seconds, Mutare Harlem’s Lyno Muchena  second  at  1 hour 11 minutes  and 9 seconds and Munyaradzi Singwa third at 1 hour 15 minutes and 38 seconds. In the female category, Josephine Tshuma of the Zimbabwe Prison Services took first position at 1 hour 44 minutes and 38 seconds, Precious Mukuza second at 1 hour 45 minutes and 6 seconds and Blessing Muranda third at 1 hour 56 minutes and 44 seconds.
 
Africa University’s Interim Vice Chancellor, Professor Fanuel Tagwira said the marathon event was conceptualized in 2002 to serve as a platform for the promotion of peace across the world. The theme for this year was “fostering personal, national, regional and international peace.”  He also said it was part of the University’s multifaceted approach to seeking lasting solutions to the challenges facing the continent.

The race saw about two hundred athletes competing in the various categories; the 21 kilometre event, for both males and females, the 10 kilometre race for the physically challenged, the 5 kilometre race for primary school children and the 500 metre fun run for peace.

The race received technical support from the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe and is registered with the Association of International Marathons (AIMS).