Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira
ALL is in place ahead of the Independence Day Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge qualifier at White City Stadium this afternoon.
The venue is host to the Bulawayo Metropolitan provincial Independence Day celebrations.
The Four Minute Mile qualifier will be held during halftime of the match between Arenel and Indlovu Iyanyathela
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairperson Watson Madanyika said they are expecting athletes from as far as Gwanda for the event.
“We had two qualifying events at the weekend in Bulawayo and Harare. From the two events only one athlete managed to make the grade. The athletes are finding it tough. In the event those that qualify fail to reach 20 we will cancel the semi-finals and go straight to the final which will take place at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds.
“We are expecting a good number of hopefuls for today’s qualifier at White City Stadium. Hopefully the large crowd will spur the athletes and we will have more athletes qualifying. This coming weekend we will also head to Bindura to conduct a qualifier in that area,” said Madanyika.
Munyaradzi Zizhou aand Mthokozisi Mhlanga, both from Blanket Mine were the first to qualify at a meet held in Bulawayo.
The other athletes qualified from an event in Harare, Nyasha Mutsetse managed a time of four minutes, 20 seconds while Levison Mapfuwa finished in four minutes, 21 seconds.
Nomore Wiriki had a time of four minutes, 23 seconds with Trust Hove crossing the line after four minutes, 24 seconds. Godwin Katakura was not far behind with a time of four minutes 25 seconds.
The Black Rhinos duo of Munashe Mundure and Bornface Jeki ended the list of those that made it to the semi-finals with the times of four minutes 27 seconds and four minutes 30 seconds respectively.
The race is sponsored by Coca-Cola and its bottling partners in Zimbabwe, Delta Beverages. — @innocentskizoe.
Sidumisile Mabena