WELLINGTON Varevi produced a dominant display to win the Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Main Arena in Bulawayo yesterday — but the Black Rhinos Athletics Club star fell short of the fabled sub-four-minute barrier.
The 21-year-old powered to victory in four minutes 20.89 seconds, more than 20 seconds adrift of the prestigious four-minute milestone that has long been the holy grail of middle-distance running.
Despite missing out on the coveted mark, Varevi’s commanding performance earned him a tidy US$800 reward, as he held off a determined field of 19 athletes drawn from nine clubs across Zimbabwe.
Elijah Mabhunu of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Athletics Club (ZRP) crossed the line in second place with a time of four minutes 23.79 seconds, just over three seconds behind Varevi, while Masvingo's Munyaradzai Zizhou completed the podium in 4 minutes 24.32 seconds.
Tafadzwa Chidziva of Mr Pace Athletics Club and ZRP's Makota Shiyane finished fourth and fifth respectively, with times of 4 minutes 24.52 seconds and 4 minutes 25.38 seconds.
On a dull, cloudy day in Bulawayo, the race showcased some of the country’s best emerging talent, even if the ultimate prize of a historic four-minute mile remained tantalisingly out of reach.
Varevi’s win underlined his growing stature in local athletics circles — but the challenge remains for Zimbabwe’s runners to breach the barrier that still defines middle-distance greatness around the world.
