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Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
THE 14th edition of the annual Two Countries Marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa will be held between Beitbridge and Musina towns on Saturday.
Zimbabwean athletes have dominated the race with Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine winning the 42.2km race seven times in a row between 2009 and 2016.
South African Lutendo Mapoto was the only runner to beat Sibanda during this period.
The Two Countries Marathon is being organised by the Musina Municipality as well as the Beitbridge Town Council and Beitbridge Rural District Council as part of celebrating the twining agreement signed in 1996.
Musina Municipality race coordinator Matthews Sithole yesterday said 91 athletes from the two countries had registered for the 42.2km race.
He said registration for the 21.1km, 10km and 5km races was going on at the two municipalities.
Zimbabwe’s coordinator Raniel Ndou said: “Among those who have registered for the main race from Zimbabwe is Nkosiyazi Sibanda, whom we expect to raise the country’s flag again. Besides entry fees, the athletes should be holders of valid passports.
“Entries for the 42.2km race closed on 9 September to give us enough time to attend to border crossing logistics. In addition we opened up registration early to allow many people from both countries to take part in the race.”
He said they were building on the event’s previous successes to hold another memorable race.
He said a lot of ground work had been covered in terms of route markings and border logistics.
“Winners in the 42.2km race will pocket R7 000 and a gold medal. The second and third-placed runners will get R4 000 and R3 000 respectively. The prize money was raised to attract more participants,” said Ndou.
Online Reporter