Controversy dampens BTC marathon

Koketso Kgoboge | Tuesday October 18, 2016 16:54

 

BAA had distanced itself from the marathon and warned its affiliates not to take part. However, the two later kissed and made up, but the damage was already done.

The marathon enjoyed over 3,000 participants in its inaugural year, but numbers diminished to below the targeted 2,500 runners for this edition with only 1,000 runners participating.

The second city appeared not awake to the marathon with only a handful of residents turning up to support the athletes at the Francistown Sport Complex.

The marathon organiser, Ben Tobedza of Fresh Brands blamed the low turnout on two previous postponements rather than their disagreements with BAA ahead of the marathon.

“We have realised the problem was caused by postponements of the dates and we want to believe people are still recovering from the BOT50 celebrations, hence we have hit this low,” Tobedza said.

Despite the low turnout, veteran long distance runner, Boiphemelo Selagaboy of SSKB Athletics Club was crowned the men’s 42.2km winner and Khumoetsile Mae of Gaborone Runners Club dominated the women’s section. Both pocketed P10,000. Selagaboy said he was certain of a win from the onset.

“I am happy with my performance but I knew from the beginning that I was going to win,” he said. “I am happy with my fitness level right now and my plan worked well. I planned to challenged in the last five kilometres and they did not respond, so I pulled away.”

Mae who was equally elated said competition was tough and her experience helped her prevail.

“I haven’t trained well recently, my performance has also dropped and I didn’t expect to win this race,” Mae said.  “It was tough, fortunately my opponents failed to hold on and were dropping pace after 20km that’s when I took the lead until the finish line.

“My legs are heavy because of lack of proper training, I believe this (win) was purely out of experience.” In other categories, Kaelo Mosalagae won the men’s 21.1km race while Kefilwe Galeitsiwe took the women’s.  In the 10km event, Tholego Keitshokile came first in the men’s section and Kakale Bantsi was the best in the women’s category. Aobakwe Ngwabi took first position in the fun run.

John Mackenzie were the best primary school, while Bobonong Secondary School and BAC prevailed in the secondary and tertiary schools respectively and Botswana Power Corporation was crowned the best corporate.