Varevi dominates Four-Minute Mile title

Innocent Kurira , Zimpapers Sports Hub

BLACK Rhinos middle-distance runner Wellington Varevi continued his dominance of the Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge, winning the race for the fourth consecutive year at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Varevi might have failed to cross the finishing line in under four minutes, but he beat 19 other athletes to win the challenge.

He clocked a time of 4 minutes 20,81 seconds, slightly slower than his 2024 winning time of 4 minutes 21,38 seconds last year. But that was enough to secure yet another victory and reinforce his status as a powerhouse in middle-distance running.

Elijah Mabhunu finished second in 4 minutes 23,79 seconds, while Munyaradzi Zizhou was third, crossing the line in 4 minutes 24,31 seconds.

Following his victory, Varevi said he is aiming to make it five next year.

“It was a good race though I feel there is a need for the race to have some more competitive athletes because the only way to break the record is if you have the opponents pushing you hard. But overall, I am delighted to have won and I am now looking forward to the race next year. Like I have said, I want to win the race five times and I will be done with this race,” said Varevi.

For his efforts, Varevi walked away with US$800, while second-placed Mabhunu earned himself US$400. Zizhou received US$300 as his prize money.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairperson Watson Madanyika expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the event.

“We are grateful to our sponsors for their overwhelming support of this event,” said Madanyika.

It has been 28 years since Gray Mavhera made history by running the mile in under four minutes at the same Bulawayo track. Since then, the best athletes in Zimbabwe have been trying to breach the barrier, but to no avail.

Mavhera clocked 3 minutes 58 seconds. The Four-Minute Mile competition is an annual men’s event that requires a pre-requisite time of four minutes and 31 seconds to qualify for the final.

The challenge is to complete a mile run of 1 609 metres in four minutes or less.