12 May 2019

Lesotho’s long distance runner from Nedbank club, Ramolefi Motsieloa, is the 42-kilometre men’s Diacore Gaborone Marathon champion.

He clocked 2:16:43 in yesterday’s marathon.

Motsieloa, who looked relaxed throughout the race, dictated terms to his opponents, made sure he strikes with speed where it mattered most and showed great endurance to be crowned the champion.

Position two went Namibian’s Konjahili Kefas of Mr Price club with a time of 2:17:53 followed by South Africa’s Mopenyane Lebelo of Nedbank Club.

Botswana athletes failed to make it to the podium finish, with Godiraone Nthompe and Thatayaone Kelapile finishing on position nine and 10 both clocking the same time of  2.23:37.

Motsieloa said in an interview that he enjoyed the race course since it was smooth with no hurdles.

He said he had been competing in Botswana since 2013, but he had not been doing well due to injuries, adding that the last time he competed he finished on position three. 

He started planning for the race last year and this time he was resolute that he would not settle for less.

In the women category, three Namibian runners made it to the podium with Lavinia Haitope of Maxed Elite Club finishing on position one with 2:41:02.

Botswana runners: Matshidiso Tamari and Phatshimo Moikabi finished on position eight and nine with a time of 3:35:38 and 0343:30 respectively.

In the 21 kilometres race, Nedbank Running Club claimed all the three position with David Manja clocking 1:04.26 to claim the championship, followed by Misheck Sithole with a time of 1:04.37 while Tebogo Mathiba finished third with 1:04.48.

Botswana’s Rapula Diphoko missed a podium finish after he clocked 1:05.16.

In the women’s category, Nedbank also dominated the field with  Lesotho’s Mokulube  Makatisi finishing on position one with 1:18.35,followed by Namibian Leena Ekanjo with 1:19.42,while position three went to Ntebaleng Letsela of Lesotho with 1:22.17.

Meanwhile, First Lady Neo Masisi who ran and finished the 10 kilometre race, said in an interview that she enjoyed the race because its flexibility allowed for one to either run or walk.

“So given my age, it was real great for me, and also coming back from Khawa, to come right here to this race I find it to be wonderful,” she said.

She joined the race because it was not only for business or leaders to get things rolling, but was meant for health, wellness and above all to raise awareness about cancer.

“And when we speak about cancer, we all know that World Health Organisation said it is one of the leading causes of death,” she said. Ends