Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
SIX more athletes have booked their spots in the semi-finals of the ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute Challenge following the Harare qualifiers held at Prince Edward High School on Wednesday.
Wayne Kabondo of Mr Pace led the qualifiers with a time of 4:23.45, narrowly ahead of Wellington Varevi from Black Rhinos, who crossed the line in 4:23.46. Peter Tauzeni, also from Mr Pace, clocked 4:24.44, while Tafadzwa Chidziva recorded 4:25.24. Matthew Masirevhu completed the list of qualifiers with 4:27.23, and Tanaka Chikore finished in 4:28.49.
The race, one of Zimbabwe’s flagship middle-distance events, is linked to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and has become a marquee test for the country’s top milers. Athletes aiming to advance to the semi-finals must post a time of four minutes 31 seconds or faster, with the semi-finals typically staged at White City Stadium in Bulawayo ahead of the grand final on the last day of the fair.
Other athletes who have so far made the semi-final list are Freedom Banda of Northlea High Athletics Club and ZRP runner Shane Makota, who have already secured their semi-final berths. Banda stopped the clock at four minutes 29 seconds, while Makota went a second faster at four minutes 28 seconds.
Varevi, a Black Rhinos middle-distance specialist and defending champion, remains the athlete to watch.
The Four-Minute Mile challenge carries historical significance in Zimbabwe. It has been 28 years since Gray Mavhera made history at the ZITF Grounds in Bulawayo by running a mile in under four minutes, a record that still stands at three minutes 58 seconds.
Since then, athletes nationwide have tried to break Mavhera’s mark, but none have succeeded, making this year’s competition one of the most anticipated yet.
Originally part of horse racing events at the ZITF Grounds, the challenge has been sponsored by Coca-Cola and its local bottling partners, including Delta Beverages, since 2004. The mile requires competitors to cover 1 609 metres in four minutes or less, a feat that tests both speed and endurance to the limit.
