15 Dec 2014

Shepherd Kenatshele, 800m runner, has beaten long distance runners in their own comfort zone during the second cross country series at River Walk dumping site.

The Saturday, December 13 meet saw Kenatshele  of SSKB winning the 12km race to the dismay of long distance gurus. He clocked 37:27:14 with Lefika’s Rapula Diphoko in second spot clocking 37:32:35 and SSKB’s Kelebonye Sembowa in third spot with 37:47:88.

The top three were neck and neck from the first lap.  It was only until the last 800m that Kenatshele used his track prowess and sprinted to the finishing line. In a post race interview, Kenatshele said he used his short distance experience to sprint in order to scoop the first spot.

Nevertheless he said he was impressed with his time, which he said was an improvement compared to the first race in November. Kenatshele said he used the road races as part of his training for 800m.

Veteran woman runner, Onneile Dintwa, made a comeback after three years missing in action due to an injury. She she finished first with 28:53:52.

SSKB’s Gaone Bathoeng trailed behind with 29:24:86 while Gaborone Runners Club’s Joyce Tau finished third clocking 29:39:19. Dintwa expressed satisfaction with her performance stating that her time showed that she had indeed come back.

This, she said, was an indication that she was ready for any challenge and looked forward to the cross country nationals in January next year. She stated that she was impressed with the level of competition displayed by the senior women as they stayed together until the last lap when she opened the gap.

In the 8km junior men category, SSKB’s Bakang Matlho clocked 27:01:25, his team mate Silvester Koko in second with 27:02:41 and in third spot was Tlotlang Wadipudi finishing at 27:09:46.

The 6km youth boy’s category saw the Jwaneng athletics club trio Katlego Sebekedi, Thabo Mareteste and Tatayane Bokgengwe in 20:37:19, 20:43:54 and 20:57:18 respectively.

The 4km youth girls category saw yet another JAC trio of Boitshoko Keitlhokile, Kedumetse Ramokate and Olehe Khunou finish at 15:27:15, 15:54:75 and 15:59:24 respectively.
The final cross country series will be held in Gaborone and Maun on January 10. ENDS