MUSINA – Phlaphala FM and Old Mutual celebrated National Women's Day in style, as they staged a Two Countries Marathon in Zimbabwe and Musina last week Saturday.

At least 462 athletes, from both South Africa and Zimbabwe, took part in this historic annual event. The marathon involved 162 athletes in the 10km race, 140 athletes in the 21km race and 146 athletes who took part in the 42,2 km race, the one that started 10km inside Zimbabwe and ended at Musina Primary, about 32 km from Beitbridge.

In the main event, the 42,2 km race, Rogers Ndou from Powerade Club in Gauteng was the winner with a record time of 2:27. He was followed by Stanley Nekhondela, a local lad from Harmony Club, with a time of 2:29 while Nwanengeni Tsunga and Jacob Madima, both from Harmony Club, came in third and fourth in times of 2:36 and 2:40 respectively.

Albert Maseka won the veteran's division, with Elias Seroma in second place. Max Maso was a winner of the master's division, while Fillipe Marten won the Grand Masters' category.

The guest of honour and well-known marathon star, Frith van der Merwe, was the winner in the women's section in a time of 03:04. She was followed by Agnes Muswane in 03:16 and L Mhlongo in third position.

The winner in the veteran ladies race was Caroline Rideaway and Maria Coetzee was second. Baba Ledwaba won the Masters division.

In the half marathon, Bethual Netshifhefhe from Harmony Club won in 01:04, while Johannes Monyela from Phosphate Club came second in 01:05. Paul Dangale of the Mr Price club was third, one second behind Monyela.

In the junior division of the half-marathon, Tshimangandzo Ravele of Tshakhuma took position one with a record time of 01:09, while Steven Tshiisaphungo, also from Tshakhuma, and Tsitsi Rapotle came second and third respectively. In the female category, Mbofholowo Sihadi was the winner of the 21-km race, in 01:23, followed by Tshifhiwa Mundalamo and Doris Maila.

In the 10 km race, Lucas Molapo was the winner, while R Muvhango from Fondwe Athletic Club won the women's section.

Udesh Naidoo, chairman of the Musina Marathon Club, said this year's event was a big success, considering that last year they had only 350 participant, while this year they had 448 participants.

Lufu Madima, the marketing manager for Phalaphala, said they were happy about the success of the event. She promised that they would make it bigger next year. Madima said they were proud as a station to find themselves helping to unearth the untapped talent in this part of one of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. Athletes who participate here include some from Zimbabwe, many of whom say the marathon is the only one which gives them the kind of competition they want.

Phalaphala also sponsor the Land of Legend Marathon, also an annual event, which runs from Thohoyandou to the Mphephu Resort.

Phalaphala spent more than R16 000 in prizes for the winners of the marathon event, which also attracted athletes from all over the country.