Zimbabwe's Cuthbert Nyasango and Malawi's Lucia Chandamale emerged victorious in the Southern Africa Regional Half Marathon Championship, held 25km south of Harare in Zimbabwe on Sunday (10 Oct).
MEN - Nyasango wins in just over the hour!
The 22-year-old Nyasango who was 25th in the long race (and 56th short course) at this year's World Cross Country Championships in Brussels, picked up the pace at 14km to go on to win the men's title in a personal best time of 1:00:29. His previous best was 1:02:01 from March 2004.
South Africa's 25 year-old George Mofokeng (personal best of 1:01:42 - in 2000) who had taken command of the pace most of the way faded in the closing stages of the contest to finish second, one minute and one second adrift of the winner (1:01:30).
Nyasango's compatriot and veteran Oliver Kandiero finished third in 1:02:04 propelling the host country to win the team title ahead of Lesotho and Botswana who were second and third respectively.
WOMEN
The women's race belonged to Lucia Chandamale. The 16 year-old came 40th in the World Cross Junior race this spring, and also excelled in the regional cross country championships held in Mbabane - Swaziland.
Yesterday the Malawian ran a tactical race before dropping the early pace-setter Muchaneta Gwata of Zimbabwe on her way to triumph in 1:15:09.
Chandamale beat the more mature and experienced Chiedza Chokore of Zimbabwe who has represented her country in a number of international events including the Beijing marathon.
Chokore came second in 1:15:16, ahead of her younger sister - Lizzie who 1:15:45.
Pre-race favourite South Africa's Charne Rademeyer (1:15:03 PB)who won this annual event in Swaziland last year, finished a disappointing fifth.
Geshom Nyathi for the IAAF
NB. we are still awaiting further official confirmation about the course and times.
