07 Jun 2016

Sesebo Matlapeng and Onneile Dintwe were crowned King and Queen of the 18th edition of the PPC Kgale Hill Challenge Champions in Gaborone on Sunday. Matlapeng clocked 47minutes 18 sec in the 15 km race, dethroning his bitter rival last year's king of the hill, Gilbert Mutandero.  

Matlapeng arrived at the top of the hill second to Mutandero during last year’s race. This year's edition included a new feature of Queen of the hill, which Dintwe won with 56 minutes 05 sec.
Both athletes went home P10 000 richer.

Matlapeng who celebrated his win with a victory celebration upon crossing the finishing line said he went into the challenge very much aware of the competition he had,
especially from Zimbabwean athlete Mutandiro.

Matlapeng said he learnt from last year's race in which he came second. For him to excel in the race, he said he had to work hard. He also said though he was aware of his rival Mutandiro, he did not plan the race around him but it was the benefit of his training that paid off.

For her part, Dintwe said she was happy with her performance, saying one should have a positive attitude  and perseverance to do well. She applauded the support she received from Batswana which keeps her going despite all the challenges she had met before.

She admitted there was not much of a competition for her during the race, unlike last year where she had about three ladies that gave her a go in the first 3km. She further explained that her target was to improve her time and that the race was part of her preparations for her first marathon in September 18.

PPC Botswana general manager,  Werner de Beer said they were happy with how the race had turned out in the past 18 years. Thus, he said it was time that they should reflect on the years that they had with the race.

He added that they saw it fit to introduce a new feature of the Queen of Hill.  “We have seen the race grow with the participation of over 3 000 runners in the last 18 years. This has been an impressively consistent event with particiation from senior citizens, veterans and junior runners,” he said.

He said the race was the ultimate challenge of both physical and mental strength for any athlete that partakes in , dding that it was a good challenge for the runners. ENDS