Muzhingi Wins Two Oceans Marathon

Radio VOP
8 April 2012

Three-times Comrades marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi won the 2012 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Saturday taking home the R250 000 prize money.

The Zimbabwean athlete crossed the line in a time of 3:08.

Henry Moyo from Malawi came second in a time of 3:08.35, while another Zimbabwean Collen Makaza was third after crossing the line in a time of 3:08.45.

In the women’s category Russian Elena Nurgalieva powered home in a time of 3:41.55 ahead of her compatriot Natalia Volgina who came second in a time of3:45.29. Zimbabwe’s Samukeliso Moyo came fifth in a time of 3:49.10.

A record 25 000 runners took part in this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, with some 16 000 of those running the half-marathon. Runners from 78different countries entered the race, confirming the international interest inthe Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon.

The race is run for 56km.

The Zimbabwean became the first man since Derek Preiss in 1974 to hold the Comrades and Two Oceans titles at the same time.

An elated Muzhingi said the race is part of his build up to the Comrades Marathon coming up later this year.

“I was going fora time, and I knew that it was a time good enough for victory,” he was quotedas saying.

Muzhingi’s victory was celebrated by Zimbabweans with congratulatory messages pouring in on the social networking site, Twitter.

Zimbabwe’s top swimmer Kirsty Coventry tweeted: “Great to wake up and hear @StephenMuzhingi won the two oceans marathon. Very well done!”

David Coltart, Education, Art and Sports ministers tweeted: “Stephen Muzhingi’s triumph in the Two Oceans today is quite remarkable – running a marathon is completely different to Comrades. Well done!”

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