Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Cross Country Championships draw closer, the Harare Athletic Board went a gear up in their preparations when hosting the provincial selection event over the weekend at Prince Edward School.
The national event to be staged in Bindura on November 15 is a qualifier for the World Cross Country Championships scheduled for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, US.
The main focus will be on the senior and junior athletes.
For the HAB selection competition held on Sunday, the senior men’s and women’s 10km attracted the province’s top athletes with Wayne Kabondo and Fortunate Chidzivo claiming the top spots.
Fresh from the Old Mutual Vumba half marathon where he placed third, Kabondo crossed the finish line in 31 minutes 41.79 seconds, beating Moses Tarakinyu to second position with a time of 31 minutes 47.58 seconds.
Peter Tauzeni was third in 33 minutes 08.96 seconds.
Chidzivo won the women’s category in 38 minutes 04.78 seconds. Ethel Pangiso and Melody Kaseke were second and third respectively.
Pangiso completed the race in 38 minutes 40.52 seconds, and Kaseke posted a time of 39 minutes 43.01 seconds.
Ndodana Paradza won the Under-20 Men’s 8km race in 35 minutes 18.07 seconds.
The Under-20 Women competed in 6km and Chantelle Mashonga claimed the title in 29 minutes 10.50 seconds.
HAB chairperson Cousinet Simunyu said their main focus is on the seniors and juniors for the national event.
“We are taking top six athletes especially for seniors. For juniors, resources permitting we also wanted to take top six for exposure since they are our future elite athletes.
“But then because the turnout was low for the girls we are also giving a chance to the Under-18 girls.
“But we are looking at a total of 20 athletes we are taking.
“We initially wanted to field 48 athletes but we realised some of the provinces are not going to field athletes in the other age groups, especially the lower age groups.
“Since we still have a week to go, if we get confirmation that the other provinces are bringing the other categories, we are taking the full team,” said Simunyu.
The deadline for submission of entries for the national competition is November 10.
So far Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Midlands, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and hosts Mashonaland Central have entered their teams.
Simunyu was impressed by the level of competition in the senior men and women, as well as the junior men category.
And is confident the team will deliver in Bindura.
“We are optimistic of Bindura. “Our athletes are ready; they all want to represent Zimbabwe, and they all want to be selected when we get to Bindura,” said Simunyu.
In the other categories, Kudakwashe Masimu was crowned winner in the Under-18 Boys’ 6km with a time of 29 minutes 21.51 seconds.
Gladys Masawi was the only participant in the girls’ category and crossed the finish line in 34 minutes 42.43 seconds in the 4km race.
The event also featured the Under-12s and Under-16s, competing in 1km and 2km as part of development.
