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Phineas Mukwazo in Kadoma
DEFENDING champion and Zimbabwe Republic Police runner Munyaradzi Jari was the toast of the day when he won the 12km men’s race at the national cross country championships held at Kadoma Country Club yesterday. Jari, who is mentored by former Zimbabwe long distance kingpin Abel Chimukoko, shrugged off the timid challenge of another crack runner Jacob Mugomere of Mashonaland West, to majestically romp home in 39 minutes, 03 seconds, an improvement from the 40 minutes 36, 5 seconds he clocked at the same venue last year.
Mugomere, whose hopes were dashed when Jari broke loose halfway into the race, however, settled for silver when clocking 39 minutes 15 seconds, while the seasoned campaigner Nkosiyazi Sibanda from Matabeleland South came third in 39 minutes 25 seconds.
In the senior women’s race run over 8km, usual suspect Olivier Chitate of Harare proved too smart for one of the firm favourites and compatriot Constance Nyasango, winning the race in 29 minutes 45,68 seconds.
Nyasango managed 30 minutes, 13, 03 seconds for a second placing while Patience Murove also from Harare was third in 31 minutes, 59, 90 seconds.
Before the races went off the block, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe second vice president Christine Ncube announced that the race would be used as a selection event for the Southern Region Cross Country Championships set for Malawi on Saturday and the World Cross Country championships in China in April.
A 24-member squad was selected for the Malawi trip and will depart for that country on Thursday.
Results
Senior men, 12km: M Jari (39,03), J Mugomeri (39,15), N Sibanda (39,25).
Senior women, 8km: O Chitate (29:45,68), C Nyasango (30:13,03), P Murove (31:59,90.
Junior men,8km: C Hwenjere (26:55), H Ngwenya (27:47), T Nyathi (28,06).
Junior women, 6km: E Ncube (29:07,98) T Madzivire (23:54,95), A Bungu (24:29,11).
Youth men, 2km: S Bhasera (14:46), W Mangwiro, (14;47), E Masuka (15:38).
Youth women, 2km: U Dambureni (16:49,2), Y Mutare, (17:15,7), M Sibanda (19:16,6).
Team to Malawi
Senior men: M Jari, T Zimuto, G Mutandiro (all Harare), J Mugomeri, (Mash West), N Sibanda (Mat South), B Whyson (Manicaland).
Senior women: O Chitate, C Nyasango), P Murove, T Cardo M Ncube (all Harare), C Mhandu (Manicaland),
Junior men: C Hwenjere (Mash East), H Ngwenya (Bulawayo), T Nyathi (Mash Central), B Ndlovu (Byo).
Junior women: E Ncube, A Bungu (both Mash Central), T Madzivire (Mash West), M Pfumbidza (Manicaland).
Online Reporter