At sixty-nine, former national athletics rep Shiri Chand Mushroom still managed to hit the finish line in the 2020 Namosi Marathon yesterday.
Mushroom, who has had a long and distinguished career in athletics said after the race, he wished he had trained for the race because he only opted for the 10km because he was not well prepared.
“The race route was tough but I used my experience to help me through to the finish line,” he said. “I wished that more young runners participate in this kind of tough and difficult races because it can help them when it’s time to represent Fiji.”
The 42.2km marathon route started from Nabukaluka in Naitasiri for the full marathon runners while the half marathon and 10km categories started and fi nished in Namosi.
Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate was one of the runners in the 10km run. “It was really tiring but a good experience,” Usamate said at the finish line.
“Today was lovely, it rained at the right time to cool us down but I think this was lovely and fabulously organised by the Suva Marathon people.
“I encourage people to come and join this initiative, keep fit and be healthy.” National reps Avikash Lal won the full marathon while Raj Prasad took out the half marathon.
Secondary School student Christopher Iowane Tikolutu, who was running barefoot won the 10km event.
