Zimbabwean Nkosiyazi Sibanda wins Two Countries again

From left to right are Lucas Nonyana (third), Nkosiyazi Sibanda (first) and Elijah Mutandiro (second). Nkosiyazi won the marathon for the sixth consecutive time.

Zimbabwean Nkosiyazi Sibanda wins Two Countries again

Nkosiyazi Sibanda made it six in a row on Saturday when he won the annual Two Countries Marathon. The 34-year-old Zimbabwean runner from the Blanket Mine Athletics Club completed the marathon in 2:30:39.

The race started an hour and a half later than scheduled at the Nottingham turn-off, about 10 kilometres outside Beit Bridge town along the Bulawayo road. The runners then crossed the border and finished at Eric Louw High School in Musina. The delayed start had a big impact on the race and the early morning heat resulted in times that were much slower than in previous years.

Sibanda was followed by his fellow countryman, Elijah Mutandiro, who ended just six minutes behind him in 2:36:17. The third position went to a local athlete, Lucas Nonyana, who finished in 2:41:10.

Two sisters from Mutare, Lizzy and Chiedza Chokore, dominated the women's race. Lizzy, who runs in the colours of the Nedbank Athletics Club, won the race in a time of 3:12:37. Chiedza claimed second position in 3:19:10 and the South African runner, Gladys Lukwareni ended third in a time of 3:23:06.

The half-marathon (21,1 km) was once again won by Gilbert Mutandiro from Zimbabwe in a time of 1:07:10. Wellington Varevi, also from Zimbabwe, was second with Felix Rop from Kenya third.

The ladies category was won by Samkheliso Moyo in a time of 1:25:55. Paulina Pawu ended second, with Hilda Malokome of Pietersburg Athletics Club ending in third place.

In the masters category the winner was Thomas Ngobeni of Greater Elim Athletics club. He finished in 1:24:12.

The 10 kilometre race was won by another runner from the Blanket Mine Athletics club in Zimbabwe, Viviann Moyo. Second place went to Mutshidzi Muravha of Vhembe Athletics Club, with Zimbabwe's Tawanda Mhandu third.

In the ladies category, the gold medal went to Seipati Makweba. Natasha Louw finished second, only a few seconds behind the winner. Third position went to Ntanganedzeni Manngwe.

A local runner, Azwindini Lukhwareni, was one of the many athletes that were very upset when the race started at about 07:30 instead of 06:00. She said that the organisers had not informed them of the delayed starting time. It also resulted in the athletes' having to compete in very hot conditions.

See previous articles here

Nkosiyazi Sibanda, winner of the Two Countries Marathon.

The winner of the ladies category in the marathon, Lizzy Chokore, photographed before crossing the finish line.

The winners of the 42,2 km women's race are: Gladys Lukwareni (third), Lizzy Chokore (first) and Chiedza Chokore (second).

The winners of the 21,1 km race are, from left to right, Wellington Varavi (second), Gilbert Mutandiro (first) and Felix Rop (third).

Date:02 October 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Read: 2058