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The second edition of the Kazungula Bridge Marathon that was held this past weekend in Kazungula was dominated by international athletes who won big in most of the categories.
Over 4000 athletes among them being local and international athletes from Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Argentina took part in the marathon, including people living with disability. The athletes participated in the 42.2km, 21.1 km, 10km and 5km races.
The 42.2km senior women race was won by Sheilah Saina from Kenya while her fellow citizen, Gladys Koech took position two and Botswana’s Boikhutso Bakha came third.
Givemore Mudzinganyama from Zimbabwe won the 42.2km senior men category while Namibian nationals, Hilifa Rainhold and Jesaya Matheus took position two and three respectively.
Daniel Paulus from Namibia took position one on the 21.1km senior men race, and Ebel Chibanda from Zimbabwe finished second followed by Botswana’s Sesebo Matlapeng who came third.
The 21.1km senior women race was however conquered by local athletes as Kitsiso Joseph scooped first position with Kefilwe Galeitsiwe finishing second while Mema Tiango came third.
Under the 10km senior men category Othusitse Gabolwelwe became victorious and Shaliaxwe Jeremiah from Namibia finished second while Montshiwa Raokgwathile took position three. Kelebogile Bile, Lesedi Tumelo and Tlotlo Ntwayagae from Botswana finished on position one, two and three respectively under the 10km senior women.
Under the 10km junior women and men races, Wilson Othusitse from Mmadinare Athletics Club took position one under the men’s category while Olebogeng Segolame from Bobonong won the women’s group.
In an interview, the winner of the 42.2km senior men, Mudzinganyama stated that the competition was very fine although it was a bit difficult from the starting point as he had to push himself hard to overtake the front runner.
“I pushed myself till the end of the line because I knew there was tough competition running behind me so I had to press harder for me to win,” the delighted Zimbabwean national told Times Sport.
Mudzinganyama who was participating in the marathon for the first time commended that it was well organised adding that the marathon also gave him an opportunity to test himself for his next marathon billed for South Africa.
The winner of the 42.2km senior women category, Saina said it was a good experience to take part in the competition and she is looking forward to the next edition. Saina who is a passionate runner has dominated different local marathons that include Run Maun Marathon and Boteti Marathon. She attributed her dominance to the robust trainings she does while in Kenya.
Marathon CEO Orbert Morgan stated that they have noticed a significant increase in the number of local and international participants in the event as they have registered athletes from as far as Argentina. He said that this year’s event has shown a significant growth and the organiser thanked different stakeholders and athletes who were part of the event.
