25 Jan 2024

A number of athletes are expected to bring their A-game to the high-stakes inaugural Botswana International Cross Country Continental Tour at the Stanbic Bank Gaborone Golf Club on Saturday.

The event will also be used as a qualifier for the 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia in March 30.

According to the Botswana International Cross Country Continental Tour spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho, by Wednesday, they had a provisional list of 106 athletes from Botswana, South Africa, France and Kenya.

He said they were expecting a fierce competition given that it would be the last qualifiers in the Southern region, hence all athletes would be aiming to use the opportunity for qualification.

The race, Kolantsho said would be divided into four categories, which is the senior men and women 10km, junior men eight kilometres and junior women six kilometres as well as mixed relays.

He said the cross-country tour was one of the sectors in Botswana that was not given much attention, adding that just like in track and field, the country had talented runners in the race. 

He pointed out that the organisers found it prudent to open all race to all athletes who had already competed in the Southern and Northern zones.

“Some of the athletes to watch include amongst others Sesebo Matlapeng and Mema Tiango and many more,” he said.

Also, French Alessia Zarbo who is currently ranked 38th in the world and Kenyan Matias Kiplimo are some of the athletes expected to compete to grace the event with their presence.

He said according to international standards, athletes were paid in American Dollars (US$) and as such in the 10km race for both men and women, winners will pocket US$2 000(over P27 000) each while second prize winners would win US$1 500 (over P20 000).

Third position winners, he said would win US$1 000 (over P13 000) while position four would pocket US$800 (over P10 000).

In Junior men (8km) and Junior Women (6km) categories, he said winners would win US$500 (over P6 000), second prize winners US$300 (over P4 000), position three winners US$200 (over P2 700) while fourth position winners would win US$100 (over P1 300).

For the mixed relays position, one wins US$800 (over P10 000), position two, US$500 (over P6 000), position three, US$200 (over P2 700). Ends