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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

BULAWAYO Athletics Board (Bab) will hold the final qualifier for the annual ZITF Four-Minute Mile race at White City Stadium tomorrow.

The Delta Beverages sponsored competition traditionally takes place in April during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. The Fair runs from April 23-27.

The qualifying time for the Coca-Cola ZITF Four-Minute Mile is four minutes 31 seconds. Those that run within this time proceed to the finals. 

Manuel Mpofu, the Bab chairman, said 26 athletes, including defending champion Wellington Varevi of Black Rhinos, had already qualified for the finals.

“We are left with two qualifying races for the ZITF Four-Minute Mile finals. We will have the final qualifier in Bulawayo on Independence Day at White City Stadium. 

“The last qualifier is set for Saturday in Mutare where the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) will be holding the second-leg of the JM Busha Triangular Series,” said Mpofu.

Athletes that qualify for the final will compete in the semi-finals of the race on April 26, with 20 that emerge with the best times proceeding to the final set for April 27 at the ZITF main arena.

Organisers of the competition have maintained last year’s prizes and the winner will get $800, the runner-up ($400), while the third-placed runner will get $300.

ZITF Coca-Cola 4-Minute Mile qualifiers

Tendai Zimuto (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 19.19 seconds), Blessmore Chidziva (ZRP, 4 minutes 19.43 seconds), Wellington Varevi (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 20.07 seconds), Isaac Mpofu (ZRP, 4 minutes 20.09 seconds), Trust Chidomaya (ZRP, 4 minutes 20.28 seconds), Moses Tarakinyu (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 20.83 seconds), Levison Mapfuwa, Black Rhinos 4 minutes 21.04 seconds), Tapiwa Chineka (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 21.27 seconds), Tendai Hove (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 21.50 seconds), Trust Hove (Black Rhinos 4 minutes 21.72 seconds), Nomore Wikiri (ZPCS, 4 minutes 21.97 seconds), Blessing Whyson (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 22.16 seconds), Dumo Mkhwananzi(Sparrows, 4 minutes 24.06 seconds), Samuel Mare (Ihlosi, 4 minutes 25.13 seconds), Bornface Jeki (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 25.81 seconds), Nyasha Mutsetse (Buse, 4 minutes 26.27 seconds), Shingirirai Mhute (ZRP, 4 minutes 26.40 seconds), Kudakwashe Chemhere (ZRP, 4 minutes 26.64 seconds), Humprey Kunaka (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 26.85 seconds), Nyasha Chiuswa (Black Rhinos, 4 minutes 27.06 seconds), Adam Chitanda (Mr Pace, 4 minutes 27.06 seconds), Robert Mugadza (City Meats, 4 minutes 2879 seconds), Fortune Jenya (Independent, 4 minutes 29.65 seconds), Lawrence Kakababwe (Amen, 4 minutes 30.46 seconds), Denford Mlilo (Sparrows, 4 minutes 30.91 seconds)

— @ZililoR.