Multitudes turn up for BDF Half Marathon

Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 19, 2025 10:29

According to statistics, 2,000 runners registered for the race, including both local professional runners and those from other countries. The marathon was held under the theme ‘Healthy Steps, Stronger Communities’. It aimed to promote wellness, raise funds for uplifting underprivileged members of the Mogoditshane community.

Amongst the participants were BDF Commander, Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo and Botswana Police Deputy Commissioner for Support Services, Solomon Mantswe. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Major Alfred Phineas, told Sport Monitor they were excited at how the event unfolded.

He said they managed to reach the target of registering 2, 000 runners which is a big achievement.

“We managed to do this because of the support from our sponsors, we had over 15 sponsors and partners. Their support made the event success,” he said.

Tatenda Hove from Zimbabwe National Army and a member of Black Rhinos athletics club is the winner of the men’s 21km race after stopping the clock at 1:05.07.

He was followed by Kenyan, Lazarus Too who clocked 1:06.11 and another Zimbabwean, Ebel Chibanda is the bronze medalist with a time of 1:07.03 time.

Too went into the race with the intention to continue his domination after winning the Orange Botswana Phikwe marathon last month.

Speaking to Sport Monitor, Hove said the race went according to plan and he has prepared well for it.

“I am a seasoned runner and I have won other races before in Botswana such as Francistown Half Marathon, Sir Seretse Khama Half Marathon and Palapye Half Marathon.

“I am using these races to attempt qualifying for the World Half Marathon, although my time was a bit slow because I should be able to run 1:03.00, so I should work hard to improve that,” he said.

The women’s half marathon champion is Kaseke Melody from Zimbabwe who crossed the finish line in 1:17.53.

She was followed by Gaone Bathoeng of BDF athletics club registering a time of 1:18.54 and the third position was claimed by Kefilwe Galeitsewe with a time of 1:21.22.

Bathoeng is a strong runner and in May she proved her mettle by winning the Molepolole Half Marathon.

For her part, Melody said the race was tough because it was her first time competing in the BDF Half Marathon. She encouraged local runners to continue working hard in order to also become successful.

In the 21km Master men, Godiraone Nthompe emerged the winner clocking 1:08.54 with Kigen Kiprop of Kenya finishing in the second spot in 1:10.11 and another Kenyan came third in 1:11.12.

The women’s category was won by Phatsimo Moikabi in 1:31.15 followed by Lorato Kgalaeng in 1:32.42 with Tumelo Lesedi settling for third position in 1:34.54.