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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
REGISTRATION for this year’s edition of the Two Countries marathon involving Zimbabwean and South African runners set for Musina in Limpopo province, has started. The marathon will be held on September 26 and Zimbabwe race coordinator Peter Ncube said preparations had gathered momentum. Ncube said registration opened on August 14 and participants from Zimbabwe can register at the Beitbridge Town and Rural District councils or at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education offices. Those in South Africa can register at the Musina Municipality offices.

He said the annual event will include a 42,2km and 21,1km road race as well as a 9KM walking race.

“The 42,2km race will start at Nottingham turnoff, 10km outside Beitbridge town along the Bulawayo road, and end at Eric Louw High School in Musina, South Africa. Both the 21,1km and 9km races will start and finish at Eric Louw High School,” said Ncube.

He said they were also setting up a link for online applications.

Participants from both countries are supposed to have valid travel documents.

Ncube said participants pay registration fees of R105 for the 42,2km race, R85 for 21,1km and R65 for the 9km race.

“We are looking forward to a successful event this year. It is, however, unfortunate that the number of participants has been decreasing, especially with the new requirement for valid travel documents because most South African athletes do not have passports,” he said.

Ncube said they had covered a lot of ground in terms of logistics and were hopeful that crossing of the border will go smoothly for the race to start on time.