THE National Cross Country championship 2023 edition, which has become a yearly event,
was recently held over the weekend at Bindura University’s National Sports Academy
grounds in Bindura.
Athletes drawn from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe participated and Mashonaland Central
has been brought to the national cross country athletics as most of its participants did not
disappoint. They scooped silver and gold medals.
The president of National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, Tendai Tagara, said that three
out of competitors from under 12, 14, 18, 20, seniors and 40 years and above both women
and men were going to be selected to represent Zimbabwe in world championship, which is
going to be held on 18 February in Australia depending on the availability of resources.
He also noted that the category of senior men was the most competitive event.
Paidamoyo Sheke from Mashonaland Central became first runner in a 1km female event in
2minutes 03seconds, whilst Takunda Mudzingwa of Harare boys also became first runner in
3minutes 37 seconds.
Under-14 Estar Chigora of Mashonaland Central came out number one in a 2km race, whilst
in the boys’ category, Sveva Tanaka of Mashonaland Central also came out first after he
finished 6minutes 59seconds.
Under-18 girls’ Ruvarashe Perazeni scooped first position after she ran 4km in a time of
17minutes 49 seconds, whilst under-18 boys’ Shelton Ncube from Matabeleland South took
first prize after he finished the race in 21minutes 12 seconds.
In the Under-20 girls 6km race, Brenda Njodzi from Harare came first in 23minutes 30
seconds, whilst in the boys’ Under-20 it was Andrew Ndlovu from Matabeleland South who
came first in 27minutes 38seconds.
Olivia Chitate of Harare ZRP came first in the category for senior women’s 10 km in
38minutes 55seconds, whilst Blessing Waison from Manicaland Province came first in the
senior men’s 10km category within 31minutes 07seconds.
In an interview, Waison said that he was happy to be the first winner under the category of
Senior Men and promised fireworks in the World Championship in Australia next month.
SRC Co-ordinator, James Maganga, expressed his gratitude since such a bigger event was
held in Mashonaland Central Province. He said the event had given exposure to some of the
athletes and brought them to the attention of Zimbabwe Athletics.
The competition, he said, had given Mashonaland Central Athletics Board an opportunity to
demonstrate its knowledge of the sports.