17 Oct 2016

Onneile Dintwe claimed an easy victory in the Botswana Life Classic Run on October 16 morning to continue her string of successes this calendar year.
The 31-year-old took 1:11:51 hours to win the ladies 21 kilometres race in Gaborone, beating her runner-up Mema Tiango by almost six minutes.
 Three weeks ago she won the Lucara Diamond Race after clocking 1:17:58 hours.
Dintwe said the race was hassle free for her and she was thrilled by her performance. “My aim was to run 1:15:00 but the ladies were running very fast at the beginning so I had to keep up with them.
It was only after I had taken the lead that I maintained my speed. My body was relaxed and I ran a better time compared to the Lucara Diamond Race,” she said.
Dintwe explained that she entered the race in a confident mood after finishing among the top five at the Spar Ladies event last week in Johannesburg.
“I wish to thank our sponsor Diacore once again for their support of long distance athletes in this country.
Diacore has hired a manager and coach for us, and they are giving us all the support we need,” she said. She said she was getting back to her best level: “Last year I wanted to compete in Botswana only so that I could get my confidence back.
 This year, I compete in South Africa as well and I know that nothing is impossible with God’s blessings.”
Shepherd Kenatshele won the closely contested 21 kilometre male category by clocking 1:02:44 hours, narrowly beating Rapula Diphoko by six seconds.
“I was well prepared because I wanted to win this race after I failed to win the Lucara Diamond Race.
 I was disappointed to lose to the runners from Nedbank in South Africa in that race. I wanted to show them today that there is strong competition in Botswana,” Kenatshele said.
Sylvester Koko won the 10km male category in 30:41 minutes beating second placed Amantle Kekganetswe by six seconds. Gaone Bathoen won the 10km female category in 38 minutes, 56 seconds ahead of second placed Mantshape Badumetse.
Winners of the 21km events received P5 000 in price monies while 10km winners got P3 000 prize monies.
The race sponsored by Botswana Life was on its 24th edition this year and the starting and finishing points were at UB Stadium. ENDS