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Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE
The 10th edition of the Two Countries Marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa will be held at Musina in Limpopo Province on Saturday morning.
Over 200 athletes are expected to grace the annual event which will include a 42,2km and 21,1km road race and a 10 km walking race.
The 42,2km race will start at Nottingham turn-off, 10km outside Beitbridge, along the Bulawayo Road, and end at Eric Louw High School in Musina, South Africa.
Both the 21,1km and 10km races will start and finish at Eric Louw High School.

The Two Countries Marathon is being organised by South Africa’s Musina Municipality and Beitbridge local authority as part of celebrating the twining agreement which was signed in 1996.

Since its inception, the race has been dominated by Zimbabwean athletes, especially in the 42,2km and the half marathon.
Zimbabweans race coordinator Peter Ncube, said yesterday 45 athletes had registered fir the 42,2km race.

“All arrangements are in place. We hope for good weather on the day. The weather forecast at this stage for race day is a sunny clear day with a maximum temperature of 33 degrees.

“We received just over 45 entries for the 42km race, which is slightly less than the number as last year.
“Further we have an increase in the number of South African athletes but a big decrease in the number of athletes from Zimbabwe (only 11 athletes entered).

“However, the top three men’s finishers from last year Nkosiyazi Sibanda (first), Kudakwashe Kanduna (second) and Charles Soza (third), who are all Zimbabwean, have entered this year’s race,” said Ncube.

Ncube added that Jane Mudau, who came first in the women’s category last year, did not register for the race this year.
He said Muchaneta Gwata and Chiedza Chikoore will represent Zimbabwe in the main race.

He said Tawapo Bhiri, Lyno Muchena, Fredrick Mavhunduse, Amos Chedondo, Chamwaita Chikoore and Collin Kanyimo will also participate in the race.
“We are looking forward to a very successful event this year. Most of the athletes are from South Africa or Zimbabwe, except for two entries from Japan.

“It is unfortunate that we were not able to grow the number of athletes this year. In the case of South African athletes the main stumbling block is that most of them have no passports.

“We hope that the crossing of the border this year will go smoothly, so that the athletes will be able to start on time.
“This will have a positive effect on the experience of the athletes on race day and help to get them returning for the race in future years.

“From the starters list, it seems that a large number of the athletes will be taking part in the race for the first time,” said Ncube.
He said the winners for the main race will pocket R7000, R4500 and R3000.