Moyo qualifies for 2017 Two Oceans Marathon
Long-distance runner Henry Moyo who finished eighth at the Zululand Marathon in South Africa, returned at the weekend.
This means Moyo has automatically qualified for the 56-kilometre Two Oceans Marathon which will be held in Cape Town on March 29. He will also represent Malawi at the 90-kilometre Comrade Marathon in Durban on May 29.
The Zululand competition is used for qualification of athletes from across the southern Africa region. Speaking upon his arrival at his base in Zomba on Wednesday, Moyo described the qualifiers as tough.
“It was energy-sapping and needed athletes who prepared thoroughly for it. I am glad that I made it having finished eighth and in 3 hours 20 minutes. In fact the first 10 are considered as having qualified after finishing the distance in 3 hours 30 minutes,” he said.
He then expressed gratitude to Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) general secretary Blackson Malamula and Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) president Godfrey Phiri for assisting him with travel logistics to the Rainbow Nation.
However, Moyo said his performance could have been better had he prepared for the competition with a partner. He said lack of a training partner is a setback to his long distance competitions.
“Unfortunately, we do not have ultra-marathon runners like me in the country at the moment. Let me appeal to AAM through my bosses at Malawi Police Service to find me a training centre. For instance Kenya or South Africa would be ideal for camping in preparation for such competitions,” he said.n
