SENIOR ATHLETE MR CHITAKE GIVES THE BEST ADVICE FOR RUNNERS

 Mr Pace Show Questions and Answer

Presenter: Collen Makaza 

Guest: Shepard Chitake

Date: 06 July 2021

Time: 1800hrs to 2030hrs

Venue: Chitungwiza Harare Zimbabwe

Contacts:+263 733741960/+263 776769684

E-mail: mrpacemakaza@gmail.com

 Good evening to you all Welcome to mr pace shows 

A warm celcome to our tonight's Guest Mr Chitake

May you please acknowledge your presence Sir

Good evening to you Sir and everyone in the Show great to be on this platform

*1.Q- Mr Chitake can you tell us more about yourself when and where were you born?*

Im one easy person who loves,understand and forgive to mention a few and pump up myself😊was born in the Land of Mzilikazi, Mpilo hospital in Bulawayo.lm the fifth son and have 2 sisters,currently living in Durban with my Wife Snelisiwe blessed with 2girls and 1boy

My birth date is Nov 26 1980

*2Q- Where did you attend your primary, secondary schooling and in which years?*

I attended my primary education at Amaveni  school and finished my grade 7 at Mtshane primary in 1995.Went on to do my secondary at Founders high school and finished in 1999

*3.Q- Tell us how was performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*

In my primary education l enjoyed watching running a lot purely because l was too little to compete with my fellow age groupers they were soo giagentic so it was all for fun😄.Secondary school it was a whole ball game altogether cos l had mentos so l picked up perfomance, middle distances were my portion with the help of my school l could always qualify to the inter provincial stages where l was meeting really talented runners ending my stages.

*4.Q- Do you still remember teacher or coach who identified your talent in athletics and how it started in athletics*

Ohh yes Mr Smarter,and Mr Mtshede those 2 coached me at school but wouldnt say they identified,l will forever praise their dedication and wish to meet them up again.

*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*

Looking younger than your age😄continues competition,love and sharing, above all the respect for each other of which we pass it on to our families.

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

Ohh l call them brothers,Wilfred khonje,Prodigal Khumalo,Sipho Ncube,Justin Chitake,Lovemore and Givemore Chabata,Peter Tadziripa,Nhlanganiso Mabena to mention but a few these guys played a big role in my carrier even up to now,waking up each other in the mornings for training eating from the same plat, giving courage and praying together even before races.

*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*

The lifestyle of the senior Runners seemed brilliant and bright,and at a point l knew there was light at the end of the tunnel had l pushed and resist to failure,the support structure  l had was The One"

*8.Q- Do you ever competed or won medals in provincial and national champs?*

Oh yes l would count them" even from my high  school to when l represented my running clubs Byo Railstars, BMA and How Mine,could make the provincial cross country team and track team. winning was a one difficult thing l promise you there are very good runners in Zim,more over my Junior catagory was the best there has never been in the country with the likes of Cathbert Nyasango,Xolani Nkiwani,Dandara,Point Chaza,Portipher and Nhlanganiso Mabena,Daliso Nkambule to mention but a few

*9.Q- Do you ever represents Zimbabwe at any international champs?*

Unfortunately not really as l mentioned  the quality of that country OMG🙌🏽except for one year when there was Southern regional cross country under 16 held in Mpopoma and came out 16th place.

*10.Q- Name your first running club and tell us how you join?*

My first Running Club was Railstars Byo,One friend of mineTawedzera Vangane who was a sprinter introduced it to me.

*11.Q- At what age did you start professional running in your career as an athlete?*

I remember l was 18 when l took it seriously before then l was a jack of all trades in Sport

Hahaha tell us more about jack of all trades😂

Hahahah was trying to look for where l could fit in all sporting codes it was jus difficult

Òk Thanks

Yeah

*12.Q-  Who was your best coach and manager in your career as an athlete?*

My best Coach was Themba Mhlophe,God have Mercy" even up to now have never met or seen one better than him his quality would take you far l wish he would come and revemp me again😄.Had few Managers that l rate the most understanding too Aaron,Graham Daniels,Cuan Walker and my current Martin Ngwenya from Maxed elite team who is doing tremendously well.

*For how long you have been working with each  manager?*Would say it was 2yrs with Aaron from Jozi,2yrs with Graham,4yrs with Cuan and been 3yrs with Matt till to date if not mistaken

Ohh point of correction its now 5yrs with my current manager Martin Ngwenya✊🏽

*13.Q- What is your best shoe brand as an athlete?*

One will mention  what he is held on honestly.#oncloud brand from Switzerland  where l happen to be an ambassador and Maxed brand our very own and South African brand

*14.Q- What was your best meals before and after the race?*

Before the race l would prefare bread and banana😄 and a bottle of electrolytes,wheres after race l go for soft pap with meat.

*15.Q- What is your best times in the following distances from: 5000m, 10km, 21km and 42km?*

5000m -14:14min

10km    -29:20min

21km    -66min

42km    -2hr 24min

*Did you ever attempted TWO oceans and Comrades marathon?*

Yes l have and been dipping down for silver,have some that were night mares too

Hahaha ok 😂

Hahahaha they not a joke races.

*16.Q- What is your best and worst race in your career as an athlete?*

My best race was Comrades marathon 90km when l ran 11hrs 11min alongside Cuan Walker when we had both injuries and conqured the triumph it taught me so much about running when my worst was the Byo half marathon where l ran another 66 and came pos 18

This was my 11hrs alongside my racemate Cuan walker a lot of bench runners were encouraged by catching up one with a super seeding😄😄

And this was one memorable one with MrPace

Hahahahahah one of them

Was injured too

I remember you telling me that it was too sore

*17.Q- Name the best road race of your life time and why?*

Old mutual 10km race Byo l won the jnr race with 30min and had a lot supporters on the route including my mom it was ran passing through our house in Nkulumane.

*18.Q- What setbacks have you encountered in your career as an athlete?*

Sponsors was the main factor,and Above all its injuries after injuries until l met some professional biokenetisist

*19.Q- During this lockdowns and Covid erra how did you manage to keep focused and fit?*

Ohh the period was terrible l tell you l live in Durban South Beach and there was no chance of escape routes,l could only gather with Loveness Madziva for exercise and Lovemore Chabata at level 4 during working hours jus for drills lucky we that flexible

*By the way, what are you doing for living in Durban?*

Have a few runners that l help with training😊and lm a running shoe Specialist at the 

Durban runner and deal with one's biomechanics when purchasing a trainer.

*Ok ,what tips you can give us as athletes when we buying running shoes*

Would advise to one checking their mechanics as in foot assessment for training shoes,racing shoes are different especially one with carbon plates they torsionally stable to hold either pronation,supernation and neutral gaits.

Thanks Boss

*20.Q- Your words on age cheating, drug use in  sport and corrupt officials.*

The worst habit of all times age Cheating"one will be reducing chances and self encouragement to the actual grouper,feeling of "ohh l cant the guys so😏l can aswell as do it for fun.Drugs are very bad such enhancements damages your whole you physical and mental please stop using drugs the not part of this beautiful sport.

*21.Q- What do you think should be done to improve athletics in Province and National level?*

Transparency  is the main  key,having officials that are honest and have passion,No favour or hate,bringing in legends into the committees,having diffrent committees on either Road,Track,or Cross country that will always help when coming to the National  level.there is lots to mention Unity is Power.

*22.Q- What's your future plans in sport?*

I would love to have Races organised" cos that keeps it going,had a Waterand Cross country for Athletes by Athletes that we hosted in Byo with Pk,Justin and Wilfred and would love to upbring it again in the near future this time as a Road race.

*23.Q- Your words of encouragement and motivation  to the upcoming athletes?*

Patience is the name of the game,Respect is vital learn everyday, athletics is very wide its not jus running there is lots of Network in this sport.Be passionate about it,dont be found everywhere jus be disciplined "Chance favours the Prepared Mind.

*24. What are your last words to the viewers on Mr Pace Show?*

Would love to thank MrPace and the crew for hosting me,what you guys are doing unites all Athletes, learn lots from each other and with that would love to  donate one pair of running shoes to any runner  of your choice and spread the love of growth.

Aaa thanks Boss 🙏🙏🙏l promise i will do Quiz show special for pair👏👏💪

My pleasure l know we living in a tough time sharing and caring can only pull us through.

*25.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

Thank you coach Makaza hey Sherpard keep up the spirit

Ohh my family maybe to begin with my mom"she has always been there she is my number one supporter and above all my wife and kids who have welcomed so many athletes in our home

Thank you so Coach be blessed

Big thanks to your wife and family brother l know  you Guys  🙏🙏🙏

Any questions from our followers

Ohh yes thanks Mr Pace

A good head and a great heart ste always a formidable combination.Mr.. Shepard.. keep up the awesome.work..keep INSPIRING..👏👏

Thank you so much Mom Blanch l have learnt a lot from you

Holla Shex. Great interview bro!

Hey Will brother thank you too.

One love 🔥

The End 

FINITO