The shortest race of the Never Give Up circuit is the favorite among the Juniors, very young children line up with enthusiasm for the registration.
The date for the interschools races was set up all of a sudden just a couple of days ago on the same day of our Never Give Up and we risked to have a very low participation rate, but this did not happen, the stronger athletes chose to run the Mungu round rather than take part in the school competition, since it is often biased by out of school children who participate giving fake DOBs.
The race is thrilling, the Senior Boys fight to the last second for the victory, first Sydney Mweemba, second Gillias Nangwala and third Lucky Kasembe. Among the Senior Girls the podium of the previous race is confirmed with Mercy Kapempe first, followed by Milika Muweswa and Ramona Muyuya. First Junior Boy is Best Michelo, second Emmanuel Kunda and third Nkweto Witika. While among the Junior Girls champion once again Patience Kunda, followed by Sylvia Malayla and Grace Telesha.
The race is short and fast, two rounds for the Junior and three for the Senior. A very hot sun and the tall grass yellow from the dry season are the landscape for this race. A new female coach joins the Never Give Up team and brings about 10 young runners from Kafue Town. I like her enthusiasm and the encouraging way in which she talks to the children who at their first race did not qualify among the first 20 and seem discouraged.
Next race in 2 weeks time: Mungu-Kabwesa!