25 Sep 2016

Onneile Dintwe kept up her trophy-laden season with victory in the Lucara Diamond Independence Half Marathon ladies category on Saturday September 24.

The 31-year-old dominated the ladies 21.1 km race, clocking 1:17:58 hours to finish ahead of Mema Tiango who timed 1:19:16, while Joyce Tau settled for third position with 1:24:05.

David Manja of South Africa claimed the men’s 21.1km title in 1:04:32 with Thabang Mosiako in second place in 1:05:31 and Shepherd Kenatshele in third place with 1:05:49.

The well attended competition was staged in central Gaborone with the starting and finishing points at Gaborone Senior Secondary School grounds. It was divided into 21.1km, 10km and 5km categories.

Dintwe, who prior to the race had already won the Diacore Gaborone Marathon 21 km race, Orange Phikwe Marathon, Kgale Queen of the Hill and the National Cross Country titles this year, attributed her latest success to thorough preparations which included a six-week training camp.

“I am happy with my performance. We had six weeks of training organised by Diacore to support long distance athletes in Botswana. The programme focused on pace, mileage and power and all of us who were involved in the camp have managed good positions today. The race was well organised with a big crowd and I was motivated to do well,” she said.

Dintwe said she would turn her focus on the Soweto Marathon towards the end of October where she intends to compete in the 21km category. The men’s winner, Manja, said he enjoyed the race though competition was tough.
“We worked as a team with my training partner and I am happy with my time today.

I was consistent, I ran 64 minutes today and last week I also ran 64 minutes in Phalaborwa,” Manja said.

In the 10km race, Silvester Koko won the men’s category with 32:01 while Gaone Bathoen won the ladies category in 38:20. The runner-up in the men’s category was Brandon Linchwe while Sesebo Matlapeng finished third. Lame Nare came second in the ladies category while Mantshape Badumetse settled for third position. ENDS