Nkosiyazi Sibanda from Zimbabwe won the annual Two Countries Marathon from Zimbabwe to Musina on Saturday morning for the seventh time.
He received R7000, a gold medal and a T-shirt. The winner in the ladies category, Lizzy Chokera, received the same prizes as Sibanda.
In the half-marathon for men, Wilton Vaneri finished first, followed by Tebogo Pelusa and Tlou Peu. Tawapo Bhiri from Zimbabwe won the half-marathon for women, followed by Hilda Molokomme, and Khodani Ndou of the Vhembe Athletics Club finished the race in the third position.
The masters category of the marathon was won by Muthupei Managa (ladies) and Thompson Mbombi of the Greater Elim Athletics Club (men). Thomas Ngobeni was the first grandmaster home and Jane Mudau the grandmaster in the category for women.
The spokesperson of the Musina Municipality, Mr Wilson Dzebu, extended his congratulations to the participants. He added that they were working hard to ensure that next year´s race would be bigger. He added that the marathon was part of the good relationship between the Musina Municipality and the Beit Bridge Rural District Council. The two councils signed a twinning agreement to work together and complement each other in various area of community development.
Mr Hennie Coetzee of the Soutpansburg Athletics Club described this year's Two Countries Marathon as a successful event and he paid tribute to the sponsors, among them Phalaphala FM, Musina Municipality and the participants from both Zimbabwe and South Africa for supporting the event.