22 Jun 2015

Sesebo Matlapeng held off stiff competition to claim the first Gaborone half marathon title on Sunday morning (June 21).

The 23-year-old Lefika Athletics Club long distance runner beat a tough challenge from Rapula Diphoko of Botswana Defence Force to win the 21km race in 1:09:63 hours.

The race, organised for charity by Sports Entertainment, saw athletes do two laps around a course beginning at River walk Mall and going past the University of Botswana, Main Mall and Fairgrounds before finishing at River walk Mall.

Matlapeng and Diphoko, together with veteran Kaelo Mosalagae and Tlholego Tsele, were part of a five man group which led for most of the race.

Mosalagae and Tsele faded midway through the second lap leaving a two-horse race between Matlapeng and Diphoko with the pocket-sized Matlapeng edging it to claim the title and gold medal. Tsele settled for third position.

Matlapeng said being a powerful finisher, his strategy was to stay with the leading group and then out-sprint them when they approached the finishing point.

“I knew they could beat me with pace, therefore I did not let them open a gap. I stayed with them because I knew that they couldn’t beat me for speed in the last 500 metres,” Matlapeng said.

Onneile Dintwe of Lefika Athletics Club claimed the title in the women’s 21km race in 1:22:42 hours. Mantshapelo Badumetse came second while Akuje Chookula settled for third position.

“I was satisfied with my time because I haven’t trained for this race. I am happy I have won,” Dintwe said.Batisane Dickson scooped gold medal in the men’s 10km race followed by Tlholego Keitshekile. The women’s 10km race was won by Mema Tiango followed by Bakang Mokomeng.

Bakang Matlho won the men’s 10km junior race, while Lemogang Xah won the women’s. The men’s 10km veteran race was won by Bernard Maseke while Mariam Tshekiso won the women’s event.

Organisers said more than 600 athletes competed in the event. Winners of the half marathon got P3 000 while the runners-up pocketed P2 000. Winners of the 10km category pocketed P2 000.

Managing director of Sports Entertainment, Nobantu Sebonego said 40 per cent of proceeds from the event would be donated to the Kagisano Society Women’s Shelter, which aims to fight gender based violence, in particular violence targeting women in Botswana.

“Through the Gaborone Half Marathon, Sports Entertainment is aiming to raise awareness on women’s abuse issues by partnering with Kagisano Society Women’s Shelter. Their vision is to end gender based violence in Botswana through the provision of temporary shelter, counselling, community education and outreach on gender based violence and advocacy,” Sebonego said. ENDS