FIVE long-distance runners have been selected by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe to represent Zimbabwe at the World Cross Country Championships to be staged in Mombasa, Kenya, on March 24.

Veteran long distance runners Cuthbert Nyasango, George Majaji, Kudakwashe Shoko, Wirimai Zhuwawo will take part in the 12km race. The only female athlete to make it into the team is Sharon Tavengwa who will compete in the 8km race.

The athletes will leave the country next Wednesday, returning a day after the race. They will be accompanied by NAAZ vice-president David Leboho.

Head of information and publicity for NAAZ William Chuwa said they had selected the athletes because of their experience.

"We are sending seasoned athletes who have tasted international success," said Chuwa. "We are hoping that they will bring good results."

The qualifying standard for the race is 28 minutes 30 seconds for men and 33 mnutes for women.

"These athletes were supposed to record that time or even less," Chuwa said. "Those are the times that were used to select the athletes."

Lewis Masunda and Samukeliso Moyo are notable exclusions from the five-member team. Moyo took part in the Southern Region Cross Country Championships that were held in Malawi last month where she collected a silver medal and recorded a time of 29 minutes 33,08 seconds.

"We decided to rest Moyo for this race," said Chuwa.

Nyasango survived from the team that travelled to Malawi. Nyasango came second in the 12km race at a time of 37 minutes 13,92 seconds behind South African winner Soke Boys who crossed the line in 37 minutes 10,28 seconds.

Chuwa said the athletes will train with their individual coaches before they finally regroup for the training sessions.

Zhuwawo arrived in the country on Tuesday afternoon from Netherlands where he is currently based. Majaji is currently based in Kenya. South Africa-based Tavengwa has also been running in Kenya.

At the last World Cross Country Championships that were held in Fukuoka Japan in April last year, Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia made it five times in a row when he won the race again with a time of 35 minutes 40 seconds.

In the women's category, Tirunes Dibaba from Ethiopia won the 8km race 25 minutes 21 seconds.