Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Zimbabwean athletes continued to dominate the Two Countries Marathon involving South Africa and Zimbabwe, held on Saturday morning.
The 42km race, which was held on a changed route this time, started in Musina, South Africa, and ended at Dulivhadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge.
It attracted scores of long-distance runners from both countries and was held as part of the twinning arrangement between Musina and Beitbridge.
The marathon resumed last year after a long hiatus induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Defending champion Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine, who finished third this time, was slower after being beaten by fellow teammate Israel Mudimba and South Africa’s Lutendo Mupotho, who crossed the finishing line in 2 hours 20 minutes and 2 hours 25 minutes, respectively.
For their efforts, the top five in the men’s 42km walked away with R11 000, R5 500, R4 500, R3 500 and R2 500 in prize money, medals and caps.
They are Israel Mudimba (Zimbabwe), Lutendo Mupotho (South Africa), Nkosiyazi Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Pfarelo Mathada (South Africa) and Fhatuwani Mushiyane (South Africa).
Zimbabwean female runner Annie Chirisa flew the nation’s flag high when she won the 42,2km race, crossing the finishing line in 3 hours, followed by fellow nationals Monica Kativu and previous winner Evidence Mudzamire 10 minutes later, with South Africans Thifhelimbilu and Jane Mudau arriving in fourth and fifth positions respectively.
The marathon was held simultaneously with a half-marathon and a 10km road race.
Zimbabwean runners also dominated the half-marathon, with Mthokozisi Sibanda (Zimbabwe) coming out victorious, followed by Isaac Langate (Kenya), Thabo Might (Zimbabwe), Ritshidze Makafe (South Africa) and Zanele Mutsipa (South Africa) in the men’s category.
The same script was repeated in the women’s 21km race, with Miracle Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Philipa Hard Dube (Zimbabwe), Mthokozisi Mhlanga (Zimbabwe), Nsvovo Kubaya (Zimbabwe) and Lanka Mashaba (South Africa) making it to the top five.
Tebuo Philusa (South Africa) won the 10km road race, beating Simiso Ndlovu (South Africa), Brave Moyo (Zimbabwe), Michael Sibanda (Zimbabwe) and Desmond Mashingaidze (Zimbabwe) in the men’s race.
Another Zimbabwean woman, Abigirl Muraicho, beat fellow contenders Tshiedza Liphadzi (South Africa), Mercy Ratsheve (South Africa), Sibongile Tshitaudze (Zimbabwe) and Tendai Mabude (Zimbabwe) in the 10km competition.
In the 42km women’s veteran category, Masindi Fhulufhedzani, Andy Ruvanda and Lindiwe each received R2 500.
The master category saw Tshimangadzo Ndou, Evidence Nengovhele (female) and Nkosiyazi Siziba (men) each winning R2 000.
Another Beitbridge veteran athlete, Bigboy Tshitaudze, also finished in the top 10 in the 42km road race.
In the grand master category, Jane Mudau, Phinias Muvambo (South Africa) and Annie Chirisa (Zimbabwe) were each awarded R1 500.
In a post-race interview, the 42km race victor, Mudimba, said he had to dig deep as the terrain was tough.
“The terrain was tough this time, so I had to rely on endurance. However, the fellow athletes who made it to the top five were good competition,” he said.
Fellow teammate Sibanda said he lost the title due to the change to a hilly terrain on the South African route.
Beitbridge Mayor Cllr Peter Pirato Mafuta and his counterpart from Musina said they were happy to bring the communities of Beitbridge and Musina together, appreciating the presence of high-level dignitaries from Zimbabwe and South Africa, among them Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe and Limpopo’s Head of Delegation in the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ms Veronica Mokgonyana.
