By Panashe Karidzagundi
A 14-year-old rising long distance runner from Beitbridge, Tinevimbonashe Chisandure, continues to make waves in Zimbabwe’s athletics scene after delivering an impressive performance at the Joshua Nkomo Marathon held in Bulawayo on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Chisandure came second in the 5km junior race, competing in the Under-20 category (Wave 1), which featured over 40 participants.
Wearing race number 127, the young athlete clocked a time of 20 minutes 58 seconds, with a net time of 20 minutes 55 seconds running at atleast 4 minutes 11 seconds per kilometer
Chisandure’s performance in Bulawayo comes just a week after another remarkable achievement at the Running Is Our Therapy (RIOT) Marathon in Beitbridge on April 19, where he finished first in the 10km race in an impressive net time of 38 minutes.
The back-to-back strong performances showcases his growing potential and consistency in competitive running.
Speaking after the race, his coach, Cecilia Chivi, expressed both pride and a hint of disappointment over the race category selection.
“I truly wanted him to compete in the 10km race, which he was well prepared for. He has consistently performed well in that distance,” said Chivi. “Unfortunately, due to the online registration system for the Joshua Nkomo peace Marathon, he was automatically placed in the junior Under-20 category.”
Despite the setback, Chisandure adapted well and delivered a podium finish against other competitors, underlining his determination and talent at a young age.
The Joshua Nkomo Peace Marathon featured multiple race categories for both male and female athletes, including the full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km road race, and junior events.
The Prize money ranged from $5,000 for the full marathon winner to $100 for third place in the junior 5km fun run.