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By Ellina Mhlanga
ADRIAN Dune of Mufakose 1 High School stole the limelight at Inter-zonal schools cross-country championships at the University of Zimbabwe last Friday where he romped to victory in the boys Under-20 race.
The competition was made up of three age-groups — the Under-20, Under-18 and Under-16 for both boys and girls — and it attracted more than 60 schools.
The schools were grouped into eight zones.
And Dune was the star of the show when he clocked 32 minutes 30 seconds when winning the boys Under-20 8km race. Dickson Musenje from Churchill Boys High came second in 32 minutes 40 seconds.
Tafara High School pupil John Johanesi finished third in 33 minutes 10 seconds.
In the girls Under-20 6km event, Patience Munyai of Mukai High stopped the clock in 33 minutes 17 seconds to clinch the title while Rutendo Chinomona from Domboramwari came second in 35 minutes 12 seconds.
Mufakose 2 High’s Sibusisiwe Chakanyuka settled for third position in 36 minutes 12 seconds.
Munyaradzi Chinyai of Zengeza 3 High walked away with the boys Under-18 boys 8km title after winning the race in 34 minutes 31 seconds.
Timothy Rukunyani of Mt Pleasant High was placed second in 34 minutes 41 seconds while Mufakose 2 High’s Job Jani finished third in 35 minutes 12 seconds.
In the girls category, Consiper Sibanda from Zengeza 2 High won the 6km race in 31 minutes 30 seconds while Stella Mudzimiri of Dzivarasekwa 2 High settled for second place (31 minutes 45 seconds).
Natasha Darare from Marlbereign Girls High came home in third place, clocking 31 minutes 54 seconds.
In the boys Under-16 6km race, Douglas Kamupfundi from Tafara 1 High was the first to cross the finishing line in 26 minutes 12 seconds while Seke 3 High’s Simba Ngandu came second with a time of 26 minutes 54 seconds.
In third place was Jonathan Manda of Zengeza 4 High who clocked 26 minutes 56 seconds.
In the girls category, Tafara 1 High’s Tatenda Mudara was the first to cross the finish line in 20 minutes 6 seconds, relegating Chipo Manuel from Mufakose 2 High (20 minutes 8 seconds) into second place. Anna Muchemwa from Domboramwari came third in 20 minutes 42 seconds. The competition was used to select a 50-member team that will represent Harare Province in the national cross-country championships to be held on February 18 in Bindura.
Harare provincial head-in-charge, Apinos Chiwara, was satisfied with the level of competition and said they were now preparing for the national competition.
“This was our fist event of the year and the competition was okay. We are meeting the team at Queen Elizabeth Girls High School this afternoon (yesterday).
“Some provinces will be holding their competitions on Friday and it gives us enough time to prepare for the event,” said Chiwara.