Champion Varevi, Mpofu expected in last Four Minute Challenge qualifier

DEFENDING champion Wellington Varevi and long distance runner Isaac Mpofu are expected to be part of the field of athletes to take part in the last qualifier for the Coca-Cola Four Minute Challenge at White City Stadium today.

They will be joined on the track by a number of athletes who will travel from Gwanda and a team from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

On Saturday, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) was in Bindura conducting qualifiers but none of the athletes that took part qualified.

Bab chairperson Watson Madanyika said they are looking forward to the last event of qualifiers.

“We expect a strong field for our last qualifier. We have the likes of Mpofu and Varevi who have indicated they will be taking part.

Athletes from Gwanda will also join in. From this qualifier, we will then look forward to the final on Saturday.

Hopefully a good number of athletes will qualify,” said Madanyika.

Varevi who was in South Africa recently taking part in the Two Oceans Marathon will be hoping to make it four wins in this competition.

Varevi came out tops last year. It was the third time that he has won the race after he did so in 2014 and 2018.

So far twelve athletes have qualified for this year’s final which will take place on the last day of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

Athletes who have qualified include Munyaradzi Zizhou and Mthokozisi Mhlanga, both from Blanket Mine who were the first to qualify.

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. — @innoceskizoe