Dintwe Defends PPC Kgale Hill Challenge
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 25, 2018 13:37
In 2016 she finished in 57:00:00 and last year she clocked 56:00:00.
Dintwe has joined Gaborone Striders Running Club, after parting ways with Nedbank Running Club.
She told Monitor Sport that she came into the race to use her experience and increase speed. As one of the most decorated long distance runners, Dintwe defended the title three years in a row.
“I knew that anything could happen because my preparations were not at a level that I wanted. Sport is expensive. You must spend a lot of money on diet and supplements amongst other things. You need at least P60,000 over three months,” she said.
Dintwe said Diacore Gaborone Marathon was difficult, but it was important to compete in the race.
“Joining Striders is a step in the right direction. They are going to assist me a lot in preparing for upcoming races. They mostly specialise in ultra marathons and marathons. You must also realise that they are organised and to be associated with such a club is important,” Dintwe said.
The men’s champion is Sibusiso Nzima from Nedbank with a time of 49:00:00. He walked away with P7,500. Nzima also won the Diacore Gaborone Marathon in May. Nzima said the altitude was enjoyable, especially that he was making his debut at the race.
“I have been running in South Africa for sometime and I wanted to come this side and explore. I urge local runners to come and compete in my country,” he said.
Nzima said the course was amazing and he was surprised that they had to go up Kgale Hill. Sesebo Matlapeng of Diacore Gaborone Marathon Runners Club took the second position. He took home P4,000. Matlapeng said the race was tough and fast.
“I registered a slower time due to the change of the route. I am a short person and running on a flat surface meant I had to sprint while others were pacing,” he said. Matlapeng has won the race on three occasions. Meanwhile, PPC Botswana general manager, Tuelo Botlhole said his company is committed to investing into local communities.
He said the primary beneficiary of the race is Mokolodi pre-school, which requires the completion of the ablution block, extension of the kitchen and add a classroom. “We have a quarry in Mokolodi, which we mine the rocks and sand that is used in the construction of Boatle-Game City road,” Botlhole said. He said the route was amended to accommodate the road construction. The PPC Kgale Hill Challenge was celebrating 20 years of existence.