Chidomaya, Chirisa come out tops in cross country champs
ZIMBABWE Republic Police Fairbridge athletes Trust Chidomaya and Annie Chirisa came out first in the Bulawayo Athletics Association senior men and women respectively in races held at Mpopoma Park yesterday.
In a field of 13 senior men, Chidomaya finished the 10km race in 33 minutes 08:37 seconds, Willard Mutasa was second in 34 minutes 50:73 seconds while Rangarirai Sweto took third spot in a time of 35 minutes 03:63 seconds.
Eight senior women entered the 10km race which Chirisa won in 44 minutes 58:62 seconds. Second place went to Faith Sikhosana from School of Mines who finished in 47 minutes 11:10 seconds with Linnety Tom an independent runner in third place in a time of 49 minutes, 09:56 seconds.
Dumo Mkhwananzi of Sparrows won the junior men’s 8km race in 27 minutes 43 seconds while Tatenda Ndlovu of Mpopoma High School was first in the junior women 6km in 25 minutes five seconds. The boys cadets race over 2,5km was won by Hillary Sibanda of Ingubo Primary School in eight minutes, 45:20 seconds with Ratidzo Nyathi from the same institution clinching the girls’ section over a similar distance in nine minutes 49 seconds.
Yesterday’s event was the first part in selecting a provincial team for the National Cross Country Championships to be held at Hillside Dams in Bulawayo on 12 February. BAB chairman Manuel Mpofu said athletes have another chance to seal their place in the provincial team at the final selection to be held at Luveve High School on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the province is holding the track and field championships at White City Stadium this morning where athletes stand a chance to qualify for both national and international events. Qualifiers for the Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile will also be held today, one of the many opportunities for athletes to qualify for the main race to be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair main arena on 29 April.