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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

THERE was much concern after Zimbabwe long distance runner Isaac Mpofu pulled out of the Four Minute Mile Challenge final two and a half laps into the race but the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) says his decision was just but a precautionary measure.

Mpofu, who has his eyes on the World Championships, has been battling with injury lately.
There was fear he could have aggravated his calf injury when he walked out of the race on Saturday.

“We spoke to him after the race. The reason he did not finish is because the speed was too much and he has not yet recovered from the Boston Marathon. It was not an injury inspired pull out,” said Bab chairperson Watson Madanyika.

Mpofu is on record saying he is putting all his energy on preparing for the World Championships.

The 2023 World Athletics Championships, the nineteenth edition of the World Athletics Championships, are scheduled to be held from 19 August to 27 August 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

Mpofu became the first Zimbabwean to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Mpofu qualified with the time he ran at the 2022 Valencia Marathon where he finished a credible 12th, with a time of two hours, six minutes, and 48 seconds.

At the Boston Marathon a fortnight ago, he finished in second place after finishing the race in 2 hours 14 minutes 8 seconds.

Kenya’s Evans Chebet retained the men’s title, recording 2hrs 5mins 4s. Chebet produced a good kick in the closing stages overpowering Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay and fellow country man Benson Kipruto into second and third position respectively.

Pre-race favourite and world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge struggled and finished way back in sixth place in 2hrs 9mins 23s.

The highly decorated athlete faded badly after the 32km mark.

Kipchoge was hoping to add a Boston Marathon victory to his extraordinary running resume. The 38-year-old has won two Olympic gold medals and four of the six major marathons.
— @innocentskizoe