Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
ABOUT 300 athletes are expected to take part in the 11th edition of the Two Countries’ Marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa to be held in the South African border town of Musina on Saturday morning.
Zimbabwean athletes have dominated the marathon since its inception, with defending champion Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine winning the 42,2km run for the fifth time in a row last year.
Race coordinator Nell Ferreira yesterday said the stage had been set for the race and they were ready to roll.
He said 55 athletes, would include 14 Zimbabweans and 41 South Africans, will compete in the 42,2km road run that will start in Beitbridge and end in Musina.
Ferreira said 124 runners will take part in the half marathon and 121 in the 9km walk.
“The 42,2km race will start at Nottingham turn-off, 10km outside Beitbridge town along the Bulawayo road and end at Eric Louw High School in Musina. Both the 21,1km and 9km races will start and finish at Eric Louw High School,” said Ferreira.
“We opened up registration two months early so that we could have many people from both countries taking part in the race. Applications for the main race were closed a fortnight ago for logistical reasons while those for other races will close on Saturday morning at 5AM.”
Ferreira said the race was open to athletes from both Zimbabwe and South Africa with valid travel documents.
In addition to valid travel documents, the participants also paid registration fees of R105 for the 42,2kmrace, R85 for 21,1km and R65 for the 9km walk.
“We are looking forward to a very successful event this year. A lot of groundwork has been covered in terms of the route markings and border logistics. Actually, we are building on the successes of previous events and are very hopeful that we will have a memorable event,” he said.
Winners for the main race will pocket R7,000, R4,500 and R3,000 and get gold medals, while all finishers will get bronze medals.
The Two Countries’ Marathon was organised by the Musina municipality and the local authorities of the Beitbridge Town Council and Beitbridge Rural District Council. Since its inception, the race has been dominated by Zimbabwean athletes, particularly the marathon and half marathon.
Among the Zimbabwean favourites for the event are defending champion Sibanda, Amos Chidodo, Collin Kanyimo, Charles Soza, Sicino Dube, Livingstone Chauke, Elijah Mutandiro, Josphat Mugove, Wellington Chidodo, Fadzai Mkwananzi, Farai Razaro and Patrick Chipoyi.
Lanky long distance runners, Lizzy Chikoore and Chiedza Chikoore will represent Zimbabwe in the women’s marathon.