adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champion Trust Chidomaya fell by the wayside in the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Four-Minute Mile race after finishing 22nd from a field of 38 runners at White City Stadium yesterday. His time of four minutes 23 seconds was not enough for a top 20 finish to secure a place in tomorrow’s final scheduled for the ZITF Main Arena at 10AM.
Harare Athletics Club long distance runner Wellington Varevi won the semi-final in a time of four minutes 11.85 seconds and comes into today’s final as the favourite. Varevi will not rest on his laurels as he believes some top runners that made it into the final will also strongly challenge for the title.
“I’m happy with the time I posted and I’m really looking forward to the final. It won’t be easy, but I’m raring to go. I know some of the guys were reserving their energy for the final and I think it’ll be fireworks because I also want to win at all costs,” said Varevi.
The $800 winner’s prize is motivation enough to bring the best out of the runners and athletics lovers should brace for an epic race. Some of the top athletes that made it through to the final yesterday include Olympian Wirimayi Juwawo, Jacob Mugomeri, Phathisa Ngwabi and Kelvin Gundani.
Finalists
1. Wellington Varevi (HAC, four minutes 11.85 seconds), 2. Jacob Mugomeri (ZimPost Kadoma, four minutes 12.23 seconds, 3. Elijah Mabhunu (ZRP Harare, four minutes 12.50 seconds), 4. Cephas Pasipamire (ZRP Harare, four minutes 13.41 seconds), 5. Nyasha Mutsetse (HAC, four minutes 13.98 seconds, 6. Trust Hove (Black Rhinos, four minutes 16.29 seconds), 7. Levison Mafuva (Black Rhinos, four minutes 16.72 seconds), 8. Tendai Zimuto (HAC, four minutes 17.00 seconds), 9. Simbarashe Chikadaga (Black Rhinos, four minutes 17.30 seconds), 10. Kelvn Pangiso (ZPCS, four minutes 17.56 seconds), 11. Isaac Mpofu (ZRP Fairbridge, four minutes 17.84 seconds), 12. Kelvin Gundani (ZIscosteel, four minutes 18.21 seconds), 13. Boniface Jeki (Black Rhinos, four minutes 18.54 seconds), 14. Charles Mukanda (Black Rhinos, four minutes 18.94 seconds), 15. Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange, four minutes 19.15 seconds), 16. Tawanda Matunhu (Blanket Mine, four minutes 19.37 seconds), 17. Wirimayi Juwawo (Shabanie Mine, four minutes 19.65 seconds), 18. Jonathan Chinyoka (ZPCS, four minutes 20.37 seconds), 19. Blessed Chidziwa (ZRP Harare, four minutes 20.76 seconds), 20. Willard Mutasa (HQ One Brigade, four minutes 21.45 seconds)
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