10 Jul 2023

Namibian long distance runner Jeremiah Shaliaxwe and Kenyan marathon champion Sheila Saina have been crowned winners of the 10^th edition of the Gaborone 42.2km Diacore Marathon.

After falling to the second spot last year, Shaliaxwe regained his stamina and prepared mentally to cross the finish line after 2 hours, 19 minutes and 29 seconds ahead of Godiraone Nthompe who came two minutes later. The third spot was claimed by Flavio Sehohle of  Mozambique who clocked 2:23:01.

In the women’s category Kenyan long distance runner Saina, who has a couple of local victories under her belt arrived on position one clocking 2:44:18.

She was closely followed by Gladys Cheruiyot also from Kenya with 2:59:41 and on third position was Abigail Jerop also from Kenya with 3:02:16.

The event which had attracted over 8 000 participants also included the 21.1km and 10km races.

In the 21.1km half marathon, South African runner Sibusiso Nzima arrived home well and dry after 1:05:33 followed by Abel Chibanda of Zimbabwe who fell below the winner by seven seconds.

Local exciting long distance runner Sesebo Matlapeng came on the third spot in the men’s half marathon.

Kefilwe Galeitsewe clocked 1:20:20 to claim the first spot in the women’s race while Kenyan Lydia Koech came second and Boikhutso Bakha closed the top three bracket with a time of 1:24:54.

In an interview Shaliaxwe who looked relaxed and calm at the end of the 42 kilometres said the race was a test of mental fitness.

He said though the race started strong in the first 21km he decided to go for a kill in the last round showing his opponents a clean pair of heels.

He faced strong contention from Nthompe and Sehohle.

First position in the Mascom 10km run  was claimed by Dawit Adebe of Ethiopia ahead of locals Montshiwa Raokgwathile and Othusitse Gabolwele. 

In the women’s category, former BTC marathon champion Patience Murowe from Zimbabwe arrived first followed by Kitsiso Joseph and Olebogeng Segolame. ENDs