Dintwe Defends Orange Marathon Title
Olefile Serokolo | Monday August 7, 2017 16:14
Dintwe pocketed P25,000 after clocking 2:51:48 ahead of Zimbabwean runners Thabitha Tsatsa (2:52:34) and Samukeliso Moyo (2:55:03). In the male section, Nkosiyazi Siyanda from Zimbabwe scooped position one with a time of 2:20:41 to beat last year’s champion Kabo Jenamo of Francistown Athletics Club who settled for position three with a time of 2:21:03.
This meant Siyanda has qualified to compete in the Commonwealth Games next year. Godiraone Nthompe of SSKB Athletics Club was second, finishing the race in 2:20:52.
Nedbank Athletics Club continued their dominance in the male 15km race when Thabang Mosiako emerged the winner, clocking 45:17 followed by Rabson Chigara of Zimbabwe who ran 46:00. Amantle Kekganetswe of Diacore Athletics Club was third with a time of 46:26.
In the female category, 22-year-old Gaone Bathoeng of Diacore Athletics Club came first with a time of 55:28 while Maitumelo Gotswakgosi of SSKB Athletics Club came second, stopping the watch after 55:47. Third position went to 41-year-old Joyce Tau of Gaborone Runners Club who ran 58:31.
Winners in the 15km race received P7,500, while second and third pocketed P5,000 and P3,000 respectively.
The male 10km race which was reserved for runners under the age of 20, saw Matshekge Athletics Club athletes occupying the top three positions, Kagiso Kebatshwaretse finished first in 31:37 followed by Amogelang Gaodumele with a time of 32:03 while Thuso Rantsho (32:58) settled for the third position. The athletes praised their coach, William Mokwena for their performance saying he is playing a major role in their running tactics as well as improving their times. In the female category, Lame Nare defended her position with a time of 39:36 while in the second position was Veronica Masilo (39:52). Position three went to Judith Kele (40:48).
The marathon’s public relations officer, Kennedy Dudzayi said the race was a success. He added that going forward, they intend to introduce a half marathon and sacrifice the 15km race. “Most of the biggest competitions focus on half marathons not 15km race, so we want to do the same as this marathon has proved to be amongst the biggest. We had no challenges this year because we were able to deal with every challenge that we faced last year.
Last year, we had challenges like shortage of water and lack of marshals in the junctions to direct the athletes but this year we were able to rectify those issues and everything went according to plan,” he said.