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Kusile Madlela Sports Reporter
THE ZITF Four Minute Mile defending champion Wellington Varevi ran four minutes 15 seconds in the yesterday’s semi-final to book a place in today’s final set for the Main Arena.The Blanket Mine runner is among the 19 top athletes who made it to the final.

Varevi will face a strong challenge from the 2013 champion Simbarashe Chigagada, last year’s second runner-up Isaac Mpofu of ZRP Fairbridge and Trust Chidemaya.

Other seasoned athletes who made it to the final are Hwange’s Phathisa Ngwabi, Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Elijah Mabhunu and Nkosiyazi Sibanda.
Dailes Bingadadi, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) secretary-general said people should expect an exhilarating final.

She said they expect fast laps.

“This is the best of the best and it’s going to be an interesting race. If you look at the athletes who made it you’ll see that they’re all veterans and are familiar with the competition. Most of last year’s finalists are in the final again,” said Bingadadi.

“The qualifying times were quick and we’re expecting to see a tight contest between the athletes. The event is growing and the athletes take it seriously and you can see that from qualifying times.”

The winner will walk away $800 richer with the first runner-up getting $400 while the third placed athlete will get $350.

There is $300 prizemoney for the fourth placed athlete, while the fifth and the sixth will receive $250 and $175 respectively.

The seventh athlete to cross the line will get $125, $100 for number eight while position nine and 10 will walk away with $75 and $50 respectively.
Athletes in the final:

Levison Mafuva, Nomore Wikiri, Isaac Mpofu, Ngonidzashe Ncube, Wellington Varevi, Cephas Pasipamire, Simbarashe Chigagada, Jonathan Chinyoka, Bornface Jeki, Phathisa Ngwabi, Thando Maphosa, Nkosiyazi Sibanda, John Payarira, Trust Hove, Trust Chidemaya, Nyasha Mutsetse, Tendai Zimule, Elijah Mabhunu, Jacob Mugoma