MUSINA – The well-known Two Countries Marathon, which was supposed to start in Zimbabwe on Saturday started in chaos, when an official at the Beit Bridge border post denied athletes permission to enter into Zimbabwe.

According to the Musina Municipal Manager, Mr Abram Luruli, they held several meetings with the Beit Brigde local municipality and late on Friday “we where informed that we must pay R1 140. We were surprised when the runners reached the border and were told that the municipality must pay money for third party insurance. While we were busy liasing with the BeitBrigde local municipality, the runners complained about the heat and forced us to allow them to start at border.”

He added that the race was delayed by two hours and instead for 42,2km, they ran 32km. The winner of the race was one of the favourites, Bethuel Netshifhefhe of Harmony Gold. His time was 1:48:22.

Nicholus Nukhuguzela from Kenya, also from Harmony AC, was second in 1.49:23 and Ndou of the Powerade Athletics Club ended in third place in 1.51:46.

In the ladies category, the 24-year-old Joyce Makwarela, who hails from Khakhanwa, and participating in the colours of Harmony Gold AC, won in 2.22:57. She was followed by Livhuwani Maduka of Tshakhuma Athletics Club in 2.35: 28 and Conny Mavhani of Tshakhuma finished the race in third place.

In the veteran category for women, Jane Mudau was the winner. The veteran men’s category was won Phulu Thembe of Harmony, followed by Israel Madibane of Eskom Gijima and the third position went to Thomas Ngobeni of the Zoutpansberg Athletic Club.

Petrus Davhana of SAPS was the winner of the division for masters. He was followed by Wilson Moshalane of Polokwane. E Mabotha of Eskom Gijima ended in third position.

The 21km race was won by Sipho Ncube of Harmony Gold in 59:03. Johannes Monyela of Phalaborwa finished the race in the second position in 1:09. The third position went to Jacob Seduma of Harmony in 1.01:1.

Two Zimbabwean athletes, who participated in the colours of Harmony Gold, Olivia Chikotora and Felima Rabia, were first and second in the women’s division of the 21km race, and Mbofholowo Sihadi of Harmony Gold finished in the third position.

In the grandmasters division, the 74-year-old Mavhungu Ravele won the race. Pele Tshikundamalema ended in the second position and William Mokwale of Eskom Gijima finished in the third position.