16 Nov 2014

The ational cross country champion, Kaelo Mosalagae, on Saturday (November 15) faced an uphill battle as youngster Sesebo Matlapeng wrestled with the veteran to the finish line during the cross country series in Kopong.

The Lefika Athletics Club duo had the competition at the palm of their hands as they set themselves apart from the other senior men from on set. It was a tightly contested 12km race which subsequently saw Mosalagae snatching it in 37:37 just a second ahead of Matlapeng who clocked 37:38.

The youngster did not grant Mosalagae a chance to breathe as he stayed on his hip and it seemed as if the race was only starting as they sprinted on the last 200m to the crowd’s elation. 

The competition was a tough one for Mosalagae as he stated in a post race interview that the young boy was a surprise package altogether. He said he did not expect such competition on the first cross country series after months on off season.

Nevertheles, he did not undermine his team mate stating that he trained with Matlapeng at the club and he sometimes shares training programme with him. “I am expecting tough competition this year because there are a lot of young boys who seem determined to beat us veterans but I am always ready for any challenge,” he said.

Mosalagae said he was impressed with his timing adding that he just dropped by a minute from the last race where he clocked 36:00. SSKB’s Shephered Kenatshele came in third position at 39:00.

In the 8km senior women, defending champion Mema Tiango finished at the top clocking 32:19, SSKB Goone Bathoeng in second with 37:38 and Gaborone racing club’s (GRC) Joyce Tau in third at 32:32.

In the 8km junior men, Jwaneng Athletics Club, Boitumelo Masilo came first at 27:58, GRC’s Kemmonnye Segwabe in second at 28:00 and SSKB’s Sylvester Koko in position three clocking 28:00.

BAA spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said the race was poorly attended due to the fact that many athletes are still reeling from the off season but however stated that they expect a higher turn up in the remaining two series.

Nevertheless, he said that quality was there looking at the times that the athletes clocked and the level of competition displayed on the track. He said the junior women category was not part of the series due to the on-going exams as most girls competing are students.

The second cross series will take place on December 13 in Orapa and Gaborone simultaneously before the third and last one on January 10, 2015 in Maun and Gaborone while the finals will be held in Letlhakeng on January 24, 2015.  ENDS