adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
LONG distance runner, Jacob Mugomeri yesterday won the ticket to represent the country at the regional cross country meet next month in Mauritius when he came first in the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe National Cross Country Championships held at Hillside Dams.
Mugomeri crossed the finish line in 31 minutes 21.06 seconds in the 10km Senior Men’s Race to beat a field of seasoned athletes that include Trust Chidomaya, Phathisa Ngwabi, Isaac Mpofu and Wellington Varevi who emerged second in a time of 31 minutes 31.71 seconds. Blessing Waison was third in 31 minutes 35.52 seconds.
Mugomeri will be joined by Rudo Mhonderwa who clinched the 10km senior women’s race, Tanaka Maraiwahoka who won the 8km junior men’s race and Elizabeth Ndlovu who crossed the finish line first in the 6km junior women’s race on the trip to Mauritius for the regional championships scheduled for 3 March.
The athletes will also represent the country at the 5th African Cross Country Championships set for Algeria next month. Mugomeri described the race being tough but he used his mental strength and determination to beat the field made up of the country’s top athletes.
“It was not an easy race because we had some of the country’s top athletes so it was a big challenge but I’m happy I came first although my target was simply to finish in the top three. Looking forward to Mauritius, I hope to do my best and improve on my times and be competitive on the day,” he said.
— @rasmthembo
derick.khumalo