adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
FIVE athletes qualified for the Coke Four Minute Mile Challenge in Sunday’s National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Track and Field Championships at White City Stadium on Sunday.
Blanket Mine athlete Wellington Varevi was the first to cross the finishing line clocking 4 minutes 24.96 seconds.
Isaac Mpofu came second in 4 minutes 25.10 seconds while Simbarashe Taderera was third in 4 minutes 26.06 seconds.
Mpofu got a second bite of the cherry after he failed to qualify at the first trials held at Gifford High School.
Matabeleland North Phathisa Ngwabi won the second heat after clocking 4 minutes 26 seconds while Tawanda Matunhu came second in 4 minutes 27 seconds.
Hwange based Ngwabi said he was happy to qualify and is now preparing for the finals.
“I’m really happy that I have qualified, the fact that I made it early gives me more time to prepare for the finals,” said Ngwabi.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu expressed confidence in more athletes making it to the finals saying there were 46 more slots available.
“We want to give more athletes a chance to qualify for the competition, that’s why we are urging those who didn’t make it to keep trying.
“They still have a chance more trials will be announced in due course, because we want more athletes to attend the finals,” said Mpofu.
Results:
1. Varevi Wellington (Blanket Mine, 4minutes 24.69sec) 2. Isaac Mpofu (Unit Fairbridge, 4minutes 25.10sec) 3. Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange, 4 minutes 26sec) 4. Taderera Simbarashe (Sparrows, 4 minutes 26.06sec) 5. Tawanda Matunhu ( Blanket Mine, 4 minutes 27sec).
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter