29 Nov 2022

 Kenya’s Peter Limo won the men’s 42.2km race while his compatriot, Sheila Saina, led the pack in the women’s category at the University of Botswana’s inaugural marathon on Sunday.

Dubbed 40 More Miles of Excellence, the inaugural marathon attracted athletes from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Limo set an early aggressive pace to lead the men’s field and crossed the finish line after 2:20:06.

His closest competitor, Dikgakgamatso Modisagape arrived 17 minutes later, while Sandile Mmampharing settled for the bronze medal after 3:28 25 seconds of running.

In the women’s category Saina completed the course after 2:44:02.

BDF Athletic Club’s pair of Boikhutso Bakha and Kitsiso Joseph challenged Saina to the first spot arriving on the second and third spot respectively.

Bakha clocked 2:57:35 while Joseph arrived after 3:7:46.

In the half marathon event, another BDF athlete, Gaone Bathoeng, cruised to the first spot in the women’s 21.1km race arriving after 1:18:33.

She beat Kenyan Gladys Cheruiyot who clocked 1:25:37 on the second spot.

Zuleikha Sleinbach settled for bronze with 1:42:34.

In the male 21.1km race South African, Folavio Segohle, was crowned the winner after an impressive 1:10:58 on his clock.

Albert Kangor and Kabo Jenamo arrived on the second and third spot respectively.

In the 10km junior female category, Amantle Sebonda, came first in 43 minutes closely followed by Ineeleng Thekoetsile who arrived 44 seconds later.

In the open female division Kefilwe Galeitsewe came first followed by Mema Tiango and Kelebogile Bile on the second and third spots respectively.

A total of over 2 000 runners took part in the event, which according to organisers, was to promote health and wellness.

Proceeds from the marathon would go towards the UB Foundation Endowment Fund, which is used to sponsor graduate students at the UB.

UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, paid homage to Botswana’s celebrated 400m runner, Isaac Makwala, who evoked bitter sweet memories of his solo run, which hogged international headlines.

Professor Norris said UB had been instrumental in Makwala’s career and offered him any field of study of his choice at UB.

He urged him to stay with the institution and develop the talent. ENDS