23 Feb 2015

Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) distance duo dominated the annual Lady Khama Charitable Trust half marathon (21km) to win P1000 each and gold medals during the race hosted at Fairgrounds on Sunday, February 22.

This year’s race attracted more than 1000 runners and is part of their annual fundraising activities. Proceeds from these activities are used to support vulnerable women and children across Botswana. 

Mema Tiango topped the women’s race while teammate Godiraone Nthompe led the men’s pack to win the same amount and three cases of O3 water. Both winners are coached by Raobine Ramoseka who was recently crowned the beMOBILE Francistown marathon champion.

Nthompe was seconded by the PPC champion Rapula Diphoko while Unaswi Dambe finished in third place. Diphoko and Dambe were awarded silver and bronze medals respectively and also walked away with some cases of O3 water. Tiango was followed by Joyce Tau of Gaborone Runners Club (GRC) and Zwaghwane Akuje in second and third place respectively. 

Nthompe said he was happy about the time he ran as that gives him an idea of what to do prior to the Diacore marathon due next month. He said so far his time is good and aims to do impressively in the coming race. 

The runner said some of them survive through such races and said of late organisers have not been so open with prizes and said the monetary prizes are discouraging and said this is one of the things that makes them pull back from distance races. Tiango expressed her gratitude and said now she will have to shape up for the next competition.

The Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT) chairperson Dale Ter Haar said since the inception of the trust in 2002, they have supported several projects. He said the marathon in its third year of running has grown in leaps and bounds and said this year’s attendance is an indication of that. He said the number is double the number of last year’s participants. He said they also use the competition as preparation for the Diacore marathon.

“This year’s race was more exciting as the participants ran through the Gaborone Game reserve, some were fortunate to see some animals,” she said.

Ter Haar said the money raised goes into the general purpose funds and after all their activities they disburse the funds to the deserving beneficiaries and said last year they gave away P1.7m to various organs. 

He said the beneficiaries have to send their proposals for reviewing. The trust has three events annually; the marathon, Ghanzi Horse relay around May and Family Fun day and obstacle course between July and August. 

Ter Haar said his desire is to see more people in future and said it should be eminent that the money realised is making a difference in other people’s lives, especially in remote areas as such are not able to raise funds.  ENDS