02 Jul 2025

Participants  turned out in large numbers for the Annual Sir Seretse Khama Marathon in Serowe on Tuesday. The event, which honours Botswana’s founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, brought together runners, fitness enthusiasts and community members to celebrate his legacy through sport.

 Speaking in an interview following the marathon on Tuesday, chairperson of Sir Seretse Khama Marathon 2025 organising committee Dineo Tumotumo said the marathon turned out to an exciting even, drawing hordes of international athletes and spectators alike.

He said all the categories of the marathon went well and they were looking forward for the third edition to assimilate the race into Botswana Athletics Association calendar and enable athletes to qualify for international meets through the race.

Tumotumo said such was not a small feat, pointing out that the 21 kilometre race was commissioned by Kgosi Khama IV of Ga-Mmangwato at Serowe Sports complex while in Palapye, Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Onneetse Ramogapi and also area MP kick-started the 42 kilometre race that culminated in Serowe.

Serowe West MP, Onalepelo Kedikilwe kickstarted the five kilometre race while the MP for Serowe and Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship,  Baratiwa Mathoothe,  and commissioned the 10 km.

Tumotumo said most of the 560 athletes that registered took part in the event and an addition of 95 of unexpected people or who did not register also turned-up to be part of the marathon, some doing the fun run.

He said it was the committee’s mission to minimise complaints and ensure the marathon lived up to expectations to honour the legacy of Sir Seretse Khama.

Kitsiso Joseph of BDF Athletics Club who won 42 km of women’s category said the race was good and thanked organisers for creating a conducive environment for athletes to thrive. 

Meanwhile, Lazurus Too of Kenya got position one in 42 km men’s category after clocking 2:17:53. Kagiso Lefela scooped position one for people living with disability in 10 km.

Lopang Oontse of Mmadinare Athletics Club scooped position one in 10 km senior men category while Gaone Bathoeng of BDF athletics club got position one in women’s category in 21 km. Position one of 10 km in women’s category went to Mosadikwena Gotswakgosi of BDF athletics club.

Diteko Ketlhomilwe of Selebi-Phikwe athletics club won the five kilometres race in women’s category while the five kilometres for men was won by Karabo Teko of Jwaneng athletics club.

Tatenda Ndove from Zimbabwe of Black Rhinos athletics club won the 21 km race for men’s category.

10 km veteran category for men went to Collins Dube of Francistown athletics club who scooped position one.

In an interview, Lefela said the race was just fine but needed one to be strategic to reach a podium finish, whilst Too said he enjoyed the race even though his body took a while to respond to the demands of the race. ENDS