Sehohle, Saina win Orange Phikwe National Marathon
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday July 31, 2023 15:49
The event was held on Saturday at the Sam Sono Stadium in the mining town of Selebi-Phikwe. Sehohle clocked 2 hours 21seconds to beat fellow competitors in the men's category while Saina stopped her clock at 2 hours 42 seconds to finish ahead of the other women.
The two runners registered under the Fearless Athletics Club won P25,000 each. It was a tough competition for the men's category as Zimbabwean Lyno Muchena of Nedbank arrived at the finishing point two seconds after Sehohle to take the silver medal.
Position three went to Lazarus Tou who clocked 2 hours 24 seconds. In the women's race Lydiah Koech and Abigail Jerop all from Kenya took position two and three respectfully. Following the race, Sehohle said he was excited to win. He also said he prepared well for the race. "I trained very well and was confident ahead of the race.
The competition was tough but I knew I could take it if I stuck to the plan. The route was tough but I'm happy that I won," said Sehohle. The South African runner pleaded with local authorities to invest in athletics as he believes there is so much talent in Botswana. Saina also expressed her excitement after winning the race.
"I want to thank God for this. It was a tough race but He gave me the strength to win," Saina said. Local runners were dominant in the half marathon as they took all podium positions in both men and women categories.
Montshiwa Raokgwathile of Orapa Athletics Club got position one after running 1 hour 46 seconds. He was followed by Sesebo Matlapeng of Lefika Athletics Club and Othusitse Makaraope of Mmadinare Athletics Club who got position two and three respectively. In the women's category, Kitsiso Joseph of BDF Athletics stopped the clock at 1 hour 27 seconds to win the race.
Kefilwe Gaseitsewe and Lentletse Malebo settled for positions two and three respectively to complete the podium. Meanwhile, Thapelo Galeboe won the 10km race in the men's category while Olebogeng Segolame of Matshekge Senior Secondary School retained her title in the women’s category.