01 Nov 2016

The 15 year old Lame Nare was crowned the 2015 10 km female champion of the inaugural edition of Kgabo Half Marathon that was held over the weekend in Mochudi.

 The energetic, forthcoming athlete overcame her competitors in challenges of a scorching heat and steep terrain in a time of 46 minutes and 24 seconds to win P3 500 while Rapula Diphoko clocked 33:47 seconds to seal the male 10 km championship.

Onneile Dintwe of Sportsview Athletics Cub clinched the pole position in the 21.1 km female category winning P7 000 in a time of 1:51:54. Sesebo Matlapeng emerged the victor in the 21.1 km male category clocking 1:10:58 seconds.

Marea Maano and Amantle Kekganetse won the five km race in the female and male categories respectively.

Kaelo Mosalagae, Joyce Tau, Sylvester Koko and Mantsha Badumetse emerged runners-up in the 21.1 km and 10 km in the male and female categories respectively.

Kgabo Half Marathon was sponsored to the tune of P61 000 by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. Guest speaker at the event, Botswana Athletics Association President, Negros Malealea Kgosietsile applauded the event organizers and encouraged them to grow the event beyond Botswana borders. 

“Usually when you embark on a journey, you take one step at a time and this step may seem insignificant, but eventually when you reflect, you will see that it’s that first step that elevated you to greater heights” said Kgosietsile. 

He asserted that sport is a unifying factor and through the Kgabo Half Marathon, Kgatleng region and Botswana can be known for greater things. 

“Now go back to the drawing board, evaluate the success, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that you can explore going forward. Aim higher next time, invest in marketing and publicity of the event”.

He advised the organizing team of youth that put together Kgabo Half Marathon. 

Chairperson of the Kgabo Half Marathon organizing committee Mr Thari Mooketsi highlighted that the event’s objective was to keep youths off the streets; promote sport as a career to curb unemployment and promote healthy living. 

“We had over 100 contestants and the turn-up of spectators wasn’t the best considering that it was the first edition of the marathon,” he indicated.

The public had access and the opportunity to test blood sugar levels, hypertension and HIV/AIDS as the various stakeholders of health had put up stalls at the grounds. Kgabo Half Marathon is deemed to be an annual event and the next edition is expected to have netball and football games.ENDS