Mutandiro is King of the hill
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday May 18, 2015 14:12
He told Monitor Sport after the race that he did not come to Botswana to take part in the event, but to visit his brother.
He explained that when he learnt about the marathon, he decided to participate as a way of keeping fit for the World Championships to be held in China in August.
Mutandiro said the course was tough especially going up the Kgale Hill, but he managed to arrive ahead of the pack. He said local runners have potential, but urgued they should train more.
“You have talented runners. They just need to spend more time training and also improve running skills,” he said.
Meanwhile, Botswana national, Sesebo Matlapeng of Lefika Runners Club got P5,000 for crossing the finishing line first in the descent from the Kgale Hill summit. He said the competition went well especially after improving from the second position that he got last year. He pointed out that it is always hard to compete against the foreign runners because they have the speed and stamina.
Matlapeng stated that cross-country and marathons have obstacles, but these could be managed when compared to the King of the Hill race. He completed the 15km race in 48 minutes 30 seconds.
Another runner from Lefika and defending champion, Rapula Diphoko finished second behind Matlapeng with a time of 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Diphoko admitted that he started the race at a slow pace and arrived at the top of the hill in position six. He said the first five kilometres were the most difficult ones, but he will use the event as part of preparations for the Selebi-Phikwe marathon slated for July.
The winner of the senior women category is Onneile Dintwe of Sports View Running Club. She pocketed P5,000. Dintwe finished the marathon in 57 minutes 17 seconds.
She was impressed with her performance because she has been on a three-year break because of a back injury. She was running her third race of the year after the National Cross Championship and Lobatse Marathon. Dintwe complained about yesterday’s King of the Hill Marathon saying women should not be made to compete with men for the top prize.
She called on the organisers to introduce a women’s category. “Women are not as strong as men. Even internationally, that is not the case,” she said.
Meanwhile, the junior girls race was won by Botho Marope of Bobonong Junior Secondary School. She took home P2,000. Her schoolmate, Sylvester Koko won the junior boys event and pocketed P2,000.