Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
FOR the second day in a row, athletes failed to qualify for this year’s Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile Challenge whose final is at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Main Arena on Saturday.
Qualifiers took place at White City Stadium yesterday but all the runners failed to finish the race within the cut off time of four minutes and 31 seconds. Two athletes attempted to qualify but were not as successful. On Friday, three athletes could not finish within the cut off time.
Wellington Varevi, Tapiwa Chineka, Nyasha Mutsetse, Levison Mapfuwa, Humphrey Kunaka, Elijah Mabhunu, Bornface Jeki, Godwin Katakura, Trust Hove, Collins Khanye, Nomore Wiriki have already qualified. Seven of the athletes secured qualification at Morris Depot in Harare on 11 April.
More qualifiers are lined up at White City from today until Thursday. Over the years, because of the high number of athletes who would have qualified, semi-finals have been held a day before the finals to choose the best 20 to go for the big prize at the ZITF Main Arena.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman, Watson Madanyika indicated that the semis might be shelved if there is less than 20 athletes qualified.
“Will have more qualifiers up to Thursday. If we are to have less than 20 Athletes qualifying there will be no semi-finals,” Madanyika said.
A cash prize of ZWL$112 00 awaits the winner of the race while ZWL$56 000 is in store for the first runner up and ZWL$49 000 for the second runner up. Like it has been the norm over the years, prizes are awarded all the way up to position 10.
Online Reporter