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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge bureau
ZIMBABWEAN athletes continued with their dominance of the Two Countries Marathon involving South Africa and Zimbabwe which was run between Musina and Beitbridge on Saturday morning.
Defending champion Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine flew the nation’s flag high when he won the 42.2km race for the fifth time in a row.
The race started at Nottingham turn-off 10km outside Beitbridge town along the Bulawayo Road and ended at Eric Louw High School in Musina, South Africa.

Both the 21.1km and 10km races started and finished at Eric Louw High School.
The Two Countries Marathon is organised by South Africa’s Musina municipality and both rural and urban local authorities from Beitbridge as part of celebrating the twining agreement which was signed in 1996.

Sibanda made his intention of winning the race clear when he took off at a fast pace and romped home in 2 hours 24 minutes 40 seconds.
His countryman Lyno Muchena crossed the finishing line three minutes later with South Africa’s Lucas Nonyana arriving third in 2 hours 29 minutes 33 seconds.
Last year’s second runner up Kudakwashe Kanduna pulled out of the race after running for 30km citing fatigue. Kanduna participated in the Mandela Marathon two weeks ago.

In an interview the lanky Sibanda attributed his victory to determination and an extensive training schedule.
“As the defending champion I had a lot of pressure to retain the title and I am happy that I won again.

“It was easy for me to beat the other athletes to the money because I am now used to the route and I hope to continue winning the race in the years to come,” he said.
For his efforts Sibanda pocketed R7,000 while Muchena and Nonyana pocketed R4,500 and R3,500 respectively.

Tawapo Bhiri won the women’s category after crossing the finishing line in 3 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds followed by South Africa’s Gladys Lukwareni, who arrived home in 3 hours 30 minutes 30 seconds.

South Africa’s Jane Mudau was the winner in the women’s masters’ category. They all received cash prizes of R7,000 and R4,500 respectively.
A total of 45 athletes took part in the main 42.2km event.

The half marathon was also dominated by Zimbabweans with the trio of Gilbert Mutandiro, Rabson Chigara and Givemore Mudzinganyama making the top three in that order. Veteran runner Samukeliso Moyo was the overall winner in the women’s half marathon followed by Muchaneta Gwata and Gloria Baeba (South Africa).
Wellington Varevi also came home first in the men’s 10km race while Rabia Filima won the women’s.

Zimbabwean race co-ordinator Beatrice Ponella commended local athletes for doing well.
“This was a successful race and I want to congratulate the winners for raising the country’s flag high and I hope they will continue winning,” she said.
South Africa’s marathon co-ordinator Nel Ferreira described the race as a huge success.

“This is a big achievement, we managed to start the race in time and had no challenges with border authorities from both countries.” he said.