Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
WELLINGTON Varevi led from start to finish as he won his fourth Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile Challenge race at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Main Arena yesterday.
Varevi from Black Rhinos crossed the finish line in four minutes 15, 82 seconds out of a field of 17 athletes. The time was slower than the four minutes 13, 64 seconds he ran to win the race last year. Previously, he had won the race in 2014 when he was 18 years old and 2018 when he was 24.
After the race Varevi vowed to keep working till he runs under the four minute mark or better still break the 28 year old record which belongs to Grey Mavhera.
The now United States based Mavhera has a record time of four minutes 58 seconds.
“I am glad to have won the race. I have to keep working till l can run under the four minute mark. In today’s race, l knew all the other athletes had their eyes on me. Hence it was a strategy to set the pace. I knew it will be a toll order for them to chase,” said Varevi.
Coca Cola Four Minute Competition – Wellington Varevi in 1st position
Godwin Katakura finished in second place with a time of four minutes 17, 71 seconds. Nyasha Mutsetse came in third after clocking four minutes 18, 61 seconds. The race is sponsored by Coca-Cola and its bottling partners in Zimbabwe, Delta Beverages.
Varevi walked away $800 000 richer, Katakura and Mutsetse received $400 000 and $350 000 respectively.
There were also be cash prizes for those that finished inside the top 10. For athletes to qualify for the final, they had to finish the qualifier in a time of four minutes 31 seconds.
Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairperson Watson Madanyika said: “We are grateful to the sponsors for their continued support. I would like to congratulate today’s winners, l deem everyone who participated to be a winner in their own right considering the bravery and the fighting spirit they exhibited.”
Thembiso Muzvagwa, Delta Beverages national sales executive and Mercy Moyo, the plant manager southern region presented the athletes with their prizes. -@innocentskizoe