Beitbridge — The fourth edition of the Two Countries marathon involving Zimbabwe and South Africa will be held in Musina on September 6.

Over 300 athletes are expected to grace the annual event which will include a 42,2 km, 21,1 km and 10km road races.

South Africa's Musina municipality, along with Beitbridge Rural District Council, are organising the event.

Limpopo radio station Palapala FM is also involved in the race, which started in 1996 following the twining of the municipalities from the two countries.

The 42,2km will start at Makhakhavhule turnoff, 10km out of Beitbridge town along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo highway, and end at Eric Louw secondary school in Musina.

Both the 21,1km and 10km races will start and end at Eric Louw.

Race coordinator David Mokobi of the Musina municipality told stakeholders from both countries in a meeting that preparations were at an advanced stage.

He said that this year's marathon was being held under the theme "Running for Togetherness".

Mokobi said that the theme was selected in light of the xenophobic attacks that happened in South Africa.

"We came up with the theme to show the solidarity between people from our different countries and we hope that the event will be a huge success this time around.

"Last year we had a very successful event and we are going to improve on that."