adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu has predicted a tight race in today’s Delta Beverages sponsored ZITF Coke Four Minute Mile Challenge.
The much hyped event will have a field of 25 athletes battling to pocket the $800 prizemoney.
Mpofu said this year’s competition would be a closely fought affair with a number of seasoned athletes beating the four minute 31 seconds qualifying mark.
“This one is hard to predict because there is stiff competition between top athletes, so we need to be alert as officials because it’s going to be a close one,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether the names’ billing will live up to it.
The Bab chairman said defending champion Simbarashe Chikada of Black Rhinos, Elijah Mabhunu and Wirimai Juwawo are among the fouvarites.
“There is Chikada who won it last year, Mabhunu and Juwawo even Givemore Mudzinganyama who was last to qualify. So it’s hard to predict who is taking this one,” said Mpofu.
Meanwhile, Levison Mafura had the best qualifying record after clocking four minutes 20 seconds while defending champion Chikada and Bornface Jeki made it in four minutes 22 seconds.
Hwange-based long distance runner Phathisa Ngwabi, who is itching to win the race, clocked four minutes 26 seconds while Matabeleland South veteran Nkosiyazi Sibanda is among those eyeing the ultimate prize.
The sponsors, Delta Beverages, have maintained last year’s package that will see the winner taking home $800 while the second and third placed athletes will go home $500 and $400 richer respectively.
For finishing fourth an athlete will pocket $300 while the prizemoney for fifth place is $250.
The leading beverage manufacturing company has also set aside $200, $175, $150, $100 for the sixth to 10th placed athletes.
The top 10 athletes will also get medals with all participants getting T-shirts and Coca-Cola branded bags.
Below are the final 25 athletes:
Wirimai Juwawo (Shabanie Mine), George Majaji (Freda Rebecca Mine), Thando Maphosa, Simbarashe Taderera (all Sparrows), Isaac Mpofu, Trust Chidomaya, Trust Madoro (all ZRP Fairbridge), Bonface Jeki, Levison Mafura, Trust Hove, Simbarashe Chikadaga, Tatenda Hove, Charles Mkanda (all Black Rhinos) Dzingayi Dandara, Jonathan Chinyoka, Nomore Wiriki (all ZPS), Blessmore Chidziva (ZRP), Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange), Tawanda Matunhu, Wellington Varevi, Nkosiyazi Sibanda (all Blanket Mine), Elijah Mabhunu (Harare Athletics Club), Irvin Rozi (Eiffel Flats), Kudakwashe Durban and Givemore Mudzinganyama (both Individuals)
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