HARARE - Long-distance runner Cuthbert Nyasango ran out an impressive third place at yesterday’s Volkswagen Prague Marathon in an impressive time to break Zimbabwe's long standing national marathon record by 65 seconds.
The Nyanga-born athlete punched above his weight at the IAAF Gold Label race in Prague, Czech Republic, to cross the finish line in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 52 seconds.
The feat was all the sweeter as it shatters Tendai Chimusasa’s 1998 Hamburg Marathon time of two hours, ten minutes and 57 seconds.
The 2012 London Olympian was just seconds adrift of winner Patrick Kipyegon Terer of Kenya who completed the 20th edition of the race in two hours, eight minutes and seven seconds in rainy and windy conditions.
Another Kenyan, Evans Kiplagat Chebet, finished second in 2:08:17.
Nyasango’s coach Benson Chauke who was following proceedings from Zimbabwe was yesterday elated with the long-distance athlete’s achievement.
“Since London 2012, Cuthbert has not really hit top gear due to injuries,” Chauke told the Daily News yesterday.
“As his coach I’m excited. Cuthbert has been working to break standing records. And one person he looks up to as a role model is Tendai Chimusasa.
“His desire has always been to better Chimusasa’s time in the 10 000metres and the marathon. So to do it in this fashion is amazing,” added Chauke, who is also the sports director of Celebration School.
“This race qualifies Cuthbert for IAAF World Championship next year with a standard A time so that’s what we will be looking forward to.”
The result comes hard on the heels of Nyasango’s commendable run in a world class field at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal in March.
In that race, the 32-year-old runner, who competed for Zimbabwe at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, achieved a season best time of one hour, three minutes and six seconds on his way to finishing a 11th.
The Volkswagen Prague Marathon is Nyasango’s third international event since competing in the Mumbai Marathon in January.
Nyasango has a half marathon best of 60:26.