11 Aug 2014

The Zimbabweans have shown their mettle once again by dominating the annual 42.2 Selebi Phikwe Marathon which was held on August 9.

The marathon was divided into four categories ranging from 4 km fun race, 10 km, 15 km and 42.2 km with more than 700 athletes taking place.

In the man’s category, Nkosiyabo Sibanda came first clocking a time of 2 hours 20 minutes followed by the local lads Raobene Ramoseka of SSKB club and Shepard Kenatshele.

Sibanda took home a whooping P25 000 and a gold medal, Ramoseka who came second won P15 000 and a silver medalist while Kenatshele who normally specialises in 800 meters surprised many by coming in the third spot and won a bronze medal and P7 500.

In the women’s category Tabitha Tsatsa from Zimbabwe won race by 2 hours 59 minutes followed by Samukelo Moyo who did 3 hours 10 minutes followed by a local in Aguja Chekula who finished the race in 3 hours 11 minutes.

They were too rewarded with the same price money that is equivalent to their male compatriots respectively. Tsatsa and Moyo were also in the country last year and this time around they made sure that they defended their titles well.

Selebi Phikwe Town Council took the price of having too many participants while Prisons walked away with a trophy of being a well-organised team.

Meanwhile the public relations officer of the Local Organising Committee, Bapisani Masunga hailed the event as a success adding that the race is growing every year as it continues to attract multitudes of athletes including from othercountries such as South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabweans.

He divulged that this year’s event had no main sponsor because their three year sponsorship with Mascom came to an end in last year’s edition and as a result SPCT, Botswana Athletics Association, SPEDU, Bosele and Kgalagadi breweries joined hands to make the event a success.

He said next year’s edition is going to be bigger and better because they will be celebrating 30 years and their intension is to get under way with preparations as soon as possible. Ends