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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S female long-distance runner Olivia Chitate missed on the qualification for the IAAF World Athletics Championships over the weekend when she finished outside the qualification standard.Chitate, who took part in the World Cross-country Championships in Guiyang, China, was targeting the top 20 finish to qualify for the 10 000m event at the World Championships scheduled later this year in Beijing, China.

However, she finished on 32nd position in 28 mins 51 secs in the women’s 8km race dominated by Kenyans and Ethiopians.

The race was won by Kenya’s Agnes Tirop in 26 mins 1 secs.

Ethiopia’s pair of Senbere Teferi and Netsanet Gudeta came second and third respectively.

Teferi crossed the finish line in 26 mins 6 secs while Gudeta followed in 26 mins 11 secs.

Zimbabwe sent two athletes to Guiyang, Chitate and Jacob Mugomeri, who found the going tough as he settled for 82nd place in 40 mins 1 sec in the senior men’s 12km race.

Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya won the race in 34 mins 52 secs while his fellow countryman Bedan Muchiri came second in 35 mins.

Ethiopia’s Muktar Edris settled for third position in 35 mins 6 secs.

National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president, Tendai Tagara, said they were impressed with Chitate’s improvement although she failed to meet the top 20 target to qualify for the event in Beijing.

“The performance of the girl was okay bearing in mind that this was her second appearance at the championships.

“Last time she finished on number 68 and this is a big improvement, even her time has improved because it’s tough there. So she did well, unfortunately she couldn’t make the top 20.

“But you can see that everytime you compete at the World Cross-country Championships you keep improving. She is still young and can challenge for top 20 next time. The championships are held after every two years.

“Mugomeri was participating for the first time at the world event and it’s still a learning curve for him. Remember he is just coming from the juniors,” said Tagara.

Tagara said the two athletes still have the opportunity to qualify for the World Athletics Championships 10 000m event but now it will be qualification by time instead of position.

“They can still qualify if they participate in other events to be held in other countries but they have to run the time now. This was qualification by position,” Tagara said.

Chitate and Mugomeri are expected to arrive back in the country today.