The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Acting Sports Editor
BLANKET Mine athlete Wellington Varevi is this year’s winner of the Coca-Cola Four Mile race after he came first at the final staged at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo yesterday.
Varevi who finished fourth in last year’s competition took the top honours when he was the first to cross the finishing line in four minutes 17 seconds.
His time was seven seconds slower than that of last year’s champion Simbarashe Chikadaga who won the 2013 race in four minutes 10 seconds. Shabanie Mine runner Wirimai Juwawo came second with a time of four minutes 18 seconds, Isaac Mpofu of Zimbabwe Republic Police Fairbridge was third a second later while Chikadaga from Black Rhinos was fourth in four minutes 22 seconds.
In fifth place was Elijah Mabhunu of Mashava who clocked four minutes 24 seconds, independent competitor Givemore Mudzinganyama took sixth spot in four minutes 25 seconds, Trust Chidomaya of ZRP Fairbridge finished seventh in four minutes 28 seconds, Tawanda Matunhu of Blanket Mine took eighth spot in a time of four minutes 30 seconds, Simbarashe Taderara of Sparrows was ninth in four minutes 35 seconds while Nomore Wiriki took 10th spot when he finished the race in four minutes 36 seconds.
A total of 25 athletes participated in yesterday’s race with two who had registered not pitching up. Prizes were only for the runners who finished from position one up to 10.
For his sweat, the 20 year-old Varevi went back to Gwanda smiling with $800 in his pocket, Juwawo was rewarded with $400 while Mpofu won himself $350. Cash prizes of $300, $250, $175, $125, $100, $75 and $50 was given to athletes who finished from position four up to 10 in that order.
Delta Beverages southern region sales and distribution executive Sparkling Beverages, Rold Baloyi, presented the athletes their prizes.
