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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

THE ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile is set to make a return this year with two athletes having already qualified for the semi-finals of the race.

Nomore Wiriki and Godwin Katakura booked their slots during the Naaz track and field championships held in the city last weekend.

The country’s biggest annual trade expo will be held from April 26-30.

The Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile is a men’s competition with a pre-requisite time of 4 minutes 31 seconds for one to qualify for the final at the ZITF main arena.

“We are excited that the Four-Minute Mile event is back.

We have already started the qualifying events and two athletes have qualified.

We will be having a number of qualifiers and we hope that more athletes participate in the event,” said Bulawayo Athletics Board chairperson Watson Madanyika.

Meanwhile, marathon runners are back in camp in Harare as their targeted qualifying races for the World Athletics Championships get closer.

The World Championships will be held in the US from July 15-24 and Zimbabwe is still pursuing qualification for marathon and track and field events.

The qualifying period for the marathon closes on May 29.

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) is pushing for some athletes to qualify for the global meet.

Track and field qualification closes on June 26.

The camp for the distance runners is being led by Benson Chauke, who previously worked with Cuthbert Nyasango.

Most of the marathon runners are expected to compete in the South Africa Championships on May 8.

Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile qualifiers schedule

April 10 – White City stadium

April 11 – Morris Depot Harare

April 18 – White City Stadium

April 24 – White City Stadium

April 29 – Semi-Finals White City Stadium

-@innocentskizoe