26 Aug 2019

Rapula Diphoko of Lefika Athletics Club (LAC) won the BDF Athletics Club half marathon title in a close finish on August 25.

Diphoko won the men’s 21.1 kilometres in 1:06:23 followed by Namibia’s Matheus Kadihimgula with 1:06:28. 

Diphoko’s club mate, Sesebo Matlapeng claimed position three with a time of 1:06:58. 

The race in its second year, was held at Mogoditshane.  

When the race started it was not easy to predict the winner as the five runners, Diphoko, Kadihimgula, Matlapeng, Amantle Kekganetswe and Godiraone Nthompe all put an impressive start and seemed at par. 

Diphoko, Kadihimgula and Matlapeng broke from the pack to build a gap in the last 10kms. 

Though the trio led the pack for a while, it was in the last three kilometres it came evident that Diphoko or Kadihimgula, were likely to walk away with the coveted title. 

The LAC runner smashed the finish line first, some seconds ahead of Namibia’s elite runner. 

The local athlete’s speed and endurance propelled him to be crowned the champion.

In an interview, Diphoko said the race was tough as it attracted athletes from Namibia, so he had to apply all tactics to win the race.

“The race started and finished at a very high tempo, something which did not permit us to reserve our energy. Knowing my challenger, Kadihimgula strengths and weaknesses, I had readied myself amply given our past encounters,” he said.

In the women’s category, the title went to Namibia’s Leena Ekandjo, who clocked 1:23:57, followed by Keneilwe Kwena of BDF Athletics Club with a time of 1:24:48, while position three went to Kealeboga Bulolo in 1:25:39. Sylvester Koko emerged victorious in the 10km men, after running 33.33, followed by Dikgakgamatso Mosimanegape with 33.49, while Onkarabile Seitei finished third in 34.09.

Laone Moloi, is the 10km women champion after finishing first with 39.16, followed by Kefilwe Galeitsiwe with 40.21, while Mantshapelo Badumetse claimed third position with 43.37.

The 10km title for People Living with Disability category went to Kabelo Baemedi with a time of 38.03 followed by Akanyang Golebang with 38.25, and Lesetedi Thatayaone settled for third position with 42.17.Ends