By Zim Sport Live Writer
Godwin Katakura set a new Zimbabwe men’s marathon record of two hours, six minutes and 23 seconds (2:06:23) to finish 12th at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday.
The 26-year-old rising star broke the previous national record of 2:06:48, set by Olympian Isaac Mpofu at the Valencia Marathon in Spain on December 4, 2022.
He also improved significantly on his own personal best of 2:08:47.
The qualifying mark for the men’s marathon at next year’s World Athletics Championships is 2:06:00.
Athletes can also qualify through the world rankings, and Katakura remains one of Zimbabwe’s hopefuls.
Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu won the men’s race in 2:03:33, three seconds outside the course record of 2:03:30 held by defending champion Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba. Berhanu, the 2016 Boston Marathon champion, took a minute off his personal best of 2:04:33, set in January.
Compatriot Buze Diriba won the women’s race in a course record of 2:16:12 at the Platinum Label road race, which was the 50th edition of the event.
