The inaugural Run Maun Marathon got off to a good start this past weekend, with more than 500 athletes taking part, among them were those from Kenya, South Africa and the UK.
The marathon featured the 5km fun run, 10km, 21km categories, with the 42.2km cancelled due to the low number of athletes who registered for it.
In the 21km female race Sheila Saina from Kenya took position one having recorded a time of 1:18:44sec, followed by Gaone Bathoen from BDF on second position with 1:19:28sec while Boikhutso Bakha also from BDF finished on position three in a time of 1:23:30sec. Under the 21km male race Peter Limo from Kenya finished on first position with 1:06:23sec, Albert Kangor from Kenya finishing on second position at 1:09:38sec while Godiraone Nthomphe from BDF finished on third position with 1:09:44sec.
Under the 10km senior male category, Montshiwa Raokgwathile from Orapa Athletics Club took position one with a time of 32.05sec, Sonny Matlho from BDF finished on second position recording 32.11sec while Olefile Kooagile from University of Botswana finished on third position by 32.35sec.
In the 10km senior female category Kitsiso Joseph of BDF finished on the first position recording 37:07sec, Kelebogile Bile also from BDF finishing on second position in 41.03sec followed by Welma Nkuna from University of Johannesburg with 44.50sec on third position.
The winner of the 21 km race won P6 000, position two got P4 000 while position three walked away with P2 000. The winner of the 10km race walked away with P2 000, the second position took P1 000 while the third position won P750.
The 21km female race winner Sheila Saina from Kenya expressed her happiness for winning the race though she was supposed to participate in the 42.2km race that was cancelled due to the circumstances beyond her control.
“The race was well organised, my intention is to participate in the next year’s event to improve the time that I recorded,” said Saina.
BOTESSA President Keorapetse Setlhare told Times Sport that it was a big achievement for the inaugural marathon to attract many athletes who travelled long distances to take part.
Setlhare said the event promoted sports tourism, and supported the local economy as participants booked accommodation in different local hotels and participated in different tourism activities offered in Maun
He thanked the community for gracing the event, adding that they had not anticipated such numbers to spectate. He also appreciated the University Sports South Africa (USSA) for its continued support in BOTESSA events.
For his part, USSA Chief Operations Officer Dumisani Dondashe explained that they submitted their application through International University Sports Federation early this year to support the Run Maun Marathon. According to him, their partnership with BOTESSA is not only in athletics but in other different sporting codes that include rugby.
