The Sunday News
SHE ran a personal best time of 2 hours, 39,58 seconds, a feat achieved in Wien, Austria on 10 April last year.
]The energy sapping feat saw Nyahora qualify for the World Athletics Champions that are set to run from 3 August to 13 August in London, where Nyahora and four other athletes Pardon Ndlovu, Cuthbert Nyasango, Millen Matende, and Fortunate Chidzivo, will hoist the nation’s flag high among the
1 800 athletes representing more than 200 countries from all continents.
Long and short distance queen Nyahora will not be a stranger to the big stage as she was the only Zimbabwean woman at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil last June.
Factfile
Name: Rutendo Nyahora
Date of Birth: 11-11-1988
Event: Marathon
Sunday News Leisure caught up with Nyahora, whose exploits in road running has seen her take part in high profile races not only on the continent, especially in numerous races in South Africa, but in South America, Europe and Asia as well.
Q: What is your personal best time, and I should think that was the time that took you to London?
A: My personal best time in marathon is the 2:39,58 I ran in Austria last April. It is that time that also saw me qualify for London. I also have a personal best time of 1:14,56 in the half marathon.
Q: At what age did you start running, and what other achievement of note can you talk about?
A: I started running when I was 18 years old, and I think running a half marathon in a season best time of 74 minutes is something to cherish.
Q: What does it mean to you to represent Zimbabwe at the World Championships?
A: It means a lot to me especially for my own benefit in terms of experience, and representing the country at such a grand stage is really exciting, and something to look forward too, really.
Q: How are you preparing for the Championships?
A: I have been training very hard under my coach Handrik Ramaala (SA legendary runner). The association is also assisting us financially. And I hope that will really assist us in London.
