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Nkosiyazi Sibanda

Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
ABOUT 60 athletes are expected to take part in the 12th edition of the Two Countries Marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa between Beitbridge and Musina towns on Saturday morning.

The race starts in Beitbridge and ends in Musina.

Race coordinator Nell Ferreira yesterday said the stage was set for the event and of the 60 athletes, 20 are Zimbabweans and the remainder South Africans.

Zimbabwean athletes have dominated the Two Countries Marathon, with Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine winning the 42,2km race for the sixth time in a row last year.

Ferreira said registration for the 21,1km, 10km and 5km races was still in progress and would close on Saturday morning.

Entries for the main race had been closed to allow organisers to attend to logistical issues that include immigration and customs’ procedures.

“The 42,2km race will start at the Nottingham turnoff, 10km outside Beitbridge town along the Bulawayo road, and ends at Eric Louw High School in Musina.

“The other races will start and finish at Eric Louw High School,” said Ferreira.

He said the event was open to athletes from both Zimbabwe and South Africa with valid travel documents.

Participants also have to pay registration fees of R120 for the 42,2km race, R80 for the 21,1km, R50 for the 10km and R30 for the 5km.

“We are looking forward to a very successful event this year.

“A lot of ground work has been covered in terms of the route markings and border logistics.

“Actually we are building on the successes of previous events and are hopeful that we will stage a memorable event,” Ferreira said.

The Two Countries Marathon is jointly organised by the Musina Municipality, Beitbridge Rural District Council and the Beitbridge Town Council as part of the twinning agreement signed in 1996.