Arusha cyclist Richard Laizer has emerged the overall winner of the recently held cross-country cycling race that involved more than 70 participants from all over Tanzania.
Laizer covered the 133 kilometre main event in three hours, 27 minutes and 01 second to win 400,000/- in cash. Hot on his heels was incumbent national champion Khamis, also from Arusha, who clocked 3:28:30 to collect 200,000/-.
The third position went to Mwanza’s Sunga Duba in 3:28:40 and got 150,000/-. The race was organised by the Arusha Cycling Club (ACC) as part of preparations for the forthcoming international cycling competitions.
There was a lesser category, covering 80 kilometres which involved young, ladies and older cyclists. Sophia Hussein won the ladies 80km race in 3:10:05, followed by Sophia Adson who clocked 3:22:11, while Jamilla Jumanne finished third in 3:55:14.
Foreigners topped the aged racers’ category with Australian Stephen Charmly leading the pack, followed by Thaday Peterson from the United States of America, while third was Hendry Banderland from Netherlands.
Fourteen-year-old Kelvin Didas was declared the winner of the youth category, followed by David Philemon, while Mussa Hussein was tagged third.
ACC chairman Mosses Andrew said he was impressed by the winner of the women’s race. “Sophia is fresh from competing in South Africa, though she didn’t win there the exposure she gained enabled her to excel at the Arusha race,” he said.
“It is important to start sending local sportsmen and women abroad to help groom them and that’s why we have decided to invest heavily in upcoming young cyclist to ensure they shine in international events.”
Andrew noted that older races start well but run out of breath faster, while young cyclists maintain pace to the end. “Countries like Kenya and South Africa perform better in international competitions because they use the youth,” he said.
By YASINTA AMOS, Tanzania Daily News