Innocent Kurira
IN a bid to boost numbers at the upcoming Cross Country Championships tomorrow, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) has extended registration to the morning of the event.
The Cross Country Championships take place at Nketa Drive Park in Mpopoma at 9 am. The entry fees are pegged at $1 per athlete for cadets and juniors and $2 for seniors. Bab chairperson Watson Madanyika, revealed the last-minute decision.
“We have decided to extend registration to the morning of the event to give as many athletes as possible the chance to participate. We want to see a big turnout and make this event one to remember. The move comes after a disappointing turnout at last year’s event, with only four athletes participating in the senior men’s category and none in the women’s event,” said Madanyika.
Madanyika is optimistic that the extended registration period will attract more athletes and make the event a success.
Two cross-country events have been lined up for January, ahead of the inter-provincials scheduled for February starting with the one on Saturday. The second event is set for January 26.
The events will feature various categories, including senior men and women, junior men and women and cadets.
Last year, the senior men’s category saw Bonani Moyo first to the finishing line in a time of 35 minutes and 26 seconds.
In second place was Washington Chiminya who managed to finish the race in 38 minutes and 38 seconds.
Freedom Banda managed a third place finish with a time of 41 minutes and 51 seconds.
In the junior men’s category, Shalom Mazaviya came first in a time of 30 minutes and 10 seconds. He was followed by Mduduzi Ncube who finished the race in 30 minutes and 44 seconds. In third place was Tavonga Maseva who finished in a time of 30 minutes and 48 seconds.
The cadets girls’ category, which was a 2,5 kilometre race was won by Rutendo Mathuthu who finished in a time of 12 minutes and 34 seconds and was followed by Lesedi Sibanda who finished the race in 12 minutes and 45 seconds.
Settling for third was Luyanda Mnkandla who recorded a time of 15 minutes and 21 seconds.
The next category was the cadets’ boys event, which was also a 2,5 kilometre race too and was won by Gabriel Magara in 11 minutes and 40 seconds while second placed Ryleigh Ndlovu finished the race in 11 minutes and 59 seconds.
In third place there was Nkanyiso Tshuma who recorded a time of 12 minutes and 16 seconds.
