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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champion in the Gutu half-marathon Kelvin Pangiso has vowed to defend his title tomorrow despite a troubling knee injury. Pangiso won last year’s event in 1hour 4minutes ahead of Lewis Masunda who came second.

The veteran runner said he has not fully recovered from a knee injury sustained during the Westgate marathon in September but will not miss tomorrow’s event.

“I am going to participate and my aim is to defend the title. I’m under pressure because I started training two weeks ago. I have a knee injury which I picked up during the Westgate half-marathon, I am not yet fit but I am aiming to win the race to defend my title.

“My preparations are not so good but with confidence and experience, I know I will win,” said Pangiso.

The 34-year-old said he has been competing in the event for quite sometime now and has won the title four times in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2013.

“This race is for our late Vice President (Simon Muzenda) so I have to participate. I was supposed to fully recover before I can compete but I just want to go there in support of the event, the organisers and sponsors. But I also want to win the title,” said Pangiso.

Pangiso is likely to face stiff competition from other seasoned athletes such as former champion Jonathan Chinyoka who has also won the race before.

Chinyoka yesterday said he is ready to compete and hoping for an improvement in his performance after coming sixth in the last edition.

“This time I think I am prepared compared to last year. I think I am going to come out the winner because I have worked hard for this race. Last year I didn’t do well because of an injury.

“The competition is going to be tough but I am going to be home because this is where I come from and I will fight to win. Those that are coming from outside Gutu should expect a tough competition,” said Chinyoka.