07 Aug 2017

Local long distance runner, Onneile Dintwe dominated this year's Orange Phikwe Marathon and maintained her stand as the 42.2 kilometre champion in the women’s category.

Onneile came first by clocking 2:51:48 and took home P25 000 and a gold medal.

The 2015 champion and 2016 runner-up, Tabitha Tsatsa from Zimbabwe came second in 2:52:34 and won P20 000 and a silver medal while Samukelso Moyo also from Zimbabwe took third position in 2:55:03 and walked away with P15 000 and a bronze medal.

In the men’s 42.2 kilometre race Nkosiyazi Sibanda from Zimbabwe scooped first position in 2:20:41 followed by Godiraone Nthomphe of SSKB in 2:20:52 while Kabo Jenamo from Francistown Athletics Club-BDF Donga came third in 2:21:03.

The winners in the men’s category were given the same prize money and medals awarded to runners in the women’s category.

In an interview, Dintwe thanked God for giving her the strength to win the race.

She said the race was awesome and that the weather was good.

However, she expressed concern that her time was slower compared to last year’s marathon.

She said it was because she did not train well for the past three weeks in preparation for the marathon due illness.

She said as a professional athlete, she told herself that she would do her best to finish the race.

She said she was happy for coming in first again this year, noting that in previous years the race was dominated by athletes from Zimbabwe.

She commended Tsatsa and Moyo for giving her competition and keeping her in check during the race.

She also acknowledged the duo, noting that when she started competing in marathon races in 2005, they were the ones that mentored and trained her.

She also thanked Orange Botswana for sponsoring the event, urging them and other sponsors to consider increasing the prize money from P25 000 to motivate and attract other athletes.

For his part, the winner in the 42.2 km men’s race, Sibanda said he was happy to win the race because last year he took position four.

He said this year the race was easy for him although runners from Botswana gave him a run for his money.

He said the route was good and flat.

The Orange Phikwe Marathon Local organising committee (LOC) public relations officer, Kennedy Dudzai said the competition went well and according to plan.

He said this time around, the number of athletes had increased to 791 compared to last year where 500 runners took part in the competition.

He commended Orange Botswana for sponsoring the marathon and acknowledged all those who participated in the event.

He said the event was well organised in that marshals were available at all water points.

He also said that this time around a lead car for both women and men runners in the 42.2 km race were availed to avoid any athletes getting lost along routes.

He said the marathon was initiated in 1985 and currently on its 32nd year.

LOC chairperson, Omphemetse Makwape said the marathon included three competitive races namely the main 42.2 kilometre race which also served as a qualifier for international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

He said the competition included a 15km, 10km mainly for youth aged 20 years and below and a 4km fun race.

He noted that the Orange Phikwe Marathon had a positive impact in the Selebi Phikwe business sector in that all hotels were fully booked, and that the purchasing power in the ailing town’s economy went up during the marathon weekend.

Orange Botswana director of corporate affairs, Lepata Mafa-Nthomola said they were happy and proud to be the sponsors of the Phikwe Marathon.

She commended the LOC, saying the planning and logistics of events took place accordingly.

She said this year’s event was bigger and better organised than last year, and that more runners took part in the competition.

Athletics from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and even Kenya took part in the event which Mafa-Nthomola said was an indication that the Orange Phikwe Marathon was growing bigger and better every year. ENDS