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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Athletics Board will re-introduce semi-finals at this year’s edition of the ZITF Four-Minute Mile competition. The Delta Beverages sponsored competition takes place during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair exhibition and this year’s ZITF exhibition runs from April 28 to May 2.

Manuel Mpofu, the Bab chairman said the semi-finals would be held on May 1 with the final on the following day.

“Not everyone will run the final this year. We’re bringing back the semifinals which will ensure that only the best athletes compete on the final day. This is meant to bring back that excitement which used to be there and ensure that the top cream give the best entertainment on the final day,” Mpofu said.

Fifteen athletes have so far qualified for the race.

On Saturday Bab held a qualification race at White City Stadium but no one managed to make it home under the four minutes 31 seconds mark.

Among those who have qualified for the race are 2013 ZITF Four-Minute Mile champion Simbarashe Chigagada.

Last year Wellington Varevi of Blanket Mine won the race in four minutes 17 seconds to pocket $800. He is yet to qualify alongside his runner-up Wirimai Juwawo. Juwawo took home $400.

The $350 prize money for the third placed athlete went to Isaac Mpofu of ZRP Fairbridge who finished the race two seconds after Varevi.

The fourth placed athlete pocketed $300 while the fifth and the sixth received $250 and $175 respectively.

Trust Chidemaya of Fairbridge crossed the line in seventh position in four minutes 28 seconds collecting $125.

Tawanda Matunhu from Blanket Mine received $100 after getting a time of four minutes 30 seconds. Simbarashe Taderera of Sparrows finished the race in four minutes 35 seconds while Nomore Wiriki from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services clocked four minutes 36 seconds.

Taderera and Wiriki walked away with $75 and $50 respectively.

Taderera, Wiriki and Matunhu headline the list of seasoned athletes that will compete at the final.

List of qualified athletes

Simbarashe Taderera, Thando Maphosa, Abraham Ncube (all Sparrows), Tendai zimuto (Kuwadzana High School), Bornface Keki, Trust Hove, Simbarashe Chigagada (all ZNA), Munyaradzi Jari (Airforce of Zimbabwe), Tawanda Matunhu (Blanket Mine), Nyasha Mutsetse (Prince Edward High School), Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange Colliery), Nomore Wiriki, Dzingai Dandara (ZPCS), George Majaji (Ziscosteel), Elijah Mabhunu (Independent)