The Bulawayo Athletic Board (BAB) will hold four qualifiers for the ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge before the finals on April 28.
The first trials will be staged on Sunday at the ZITF’s main arena, the second on April 8 while the third will be on April 15 at the same venue. The fourth will run concurrently with the National Amateur Athletics of Zimbabwe track and field competitions at either the White City Stadium or the National University of Science and Technology on April 22.
BAB chairman Emmanuel Mpofu yesterday said all athletes from around the country were invited to take part in the qualifiers where they would be required to beat a time of four minutes 31secs to qualify for the finals on April 28.
Eight athletes had already qualified for the race and these include Kelvin Gundani, Ngonidzashe Ncube (Ziscosteel), Knowmore Wiriki, James Gwasira (Zimbabwe Prison Service), Jacob Mugomeri (Kadoma Athletics), Moses Jodzi, Blessmore Chidziva (Tigers Harare) and Rodney Gumbo of Shamva.
“Everyone is invited for the qualifiers, which will be held at the ZITF Main Arena. Even those that have qualified should come so that they can acclimatise. It will also make it conducive for those that are coming for the trials. Even ladies who think that they can beat that time are welcome to the qualifiers,” Mpofu said.
Last year’s race was won by Trust Hove of Sparrows in Bulawayo, who was home at a time of four minutes 21,22secs, beating 24 other contestants. He automatically qualifies for this year’s race.
