Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the iconic Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge returns to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), all eyes are on defending champion Wellington Varevi, who is chasing a remarkable fourth title.
The much-anticipated final will take place on Saturday at the ZITF Conference Centre Grounds, following the semi-finals at White City Stadium on April 25. So far, 26 athletes have qualified for the semi-finals, with only 20 slots available for the final.
With a blistering qualifying time of four minutes 17.02 seconds, the best among this year’s entrants, Varevi stands out as the man to beat. But beyond just victory, the seasoned athlete has his eyes on greatness: becoming the only runner in recent history to claim the title four times and inching closer to the near-mythical national record of three minutes 58 seconds set by Gray Mavhera, 28 years ago.
“This race means everything to me. Every time I step onto the track at ZITF, I feel the energy of the crowd, the legacy of past champions, and the weight of what it means to represent Zimbabwe at the highest level. Winning it once is special, but to go for a fourth time? That would be historic. It’s something I have dreamed of since I first started running.
“I know the field is stacked this year, and there are young guys coming up with fire in their legs. But I’m not backing down. I want to put on a show, not just for myself but for every kid watching in the stands, who dreams of running like Mavhera. Records are made to be broken, and I believe with the right conditions, this might be the year,” said Varevi.
Varevi, of Black Rhinos Athletics Club, remains the man to beat. The three-time champion is aiming to etch his name deeper into the folklore of this event with a fourth consecutive crown. While last year’s win came in 4:21.38, well outside the mythical four-minute barrier, his dominance has never been in question.
Kenya’s John Kisilu Muinde (4:26.15) and Blanket Mine’s Andrew Ndlovu (4:27.56) trailed behind him in 2024, and both are expected to return for another shot at the title. Yet the bigger challenge, as always, looms larger than any one rival, chasing a ghost from 1996.
It’s been 28 years since Mavhera became the only man to run the mile in under four minutes on Zimbabwean soil, setting a national record of 3:58 that continues to cast a long shadow over the event. Every year, the country’s best middle-distance runners line up with one eye on victory and another on history. — @innocentskizoe
