After running until he felt as if his lungs would explode, Kaelo Mosalagae, is the the overall victor of the national cross country championship, that were held this past Saturday at Gaborone Technical College (GTC) sports grounds. The reigning national champion managed to outrun his competitors by completing the 12km race in 39 minutes. For Mosalagae, all roads lead to Guiyang, China, where he will be leading the national team at the World Cross Country championships which will be held next month.
The Lefika runners club was seconded by Sesebo Matlapeng also from Lefika, who followed in shortly in 39 minutes and 19 seconds. Coming in third place was Sheppard Kenatshele of (SSKB) who finished the race in 40 minutes and 20 seconds.
In the women’s category Onneile Dintwe is the reigning champion after completing the 8km race in 36 minutes and 16 seconds, whilst Joyce Tau and Gaone Bathoeng came in second and third place respectively.
In the men’s junior category (8km), Sylvester Koko of SSKB (27:17:65) and Bakang Matlho (27:27:95) came in first and second place respectively after a close shave encounter, with the winner leading by only 30 split seconds. Otshegeditse Ramankhi from Bobonong came in third place after completing the race in 27 minutes and 54 seconds.
In the women’s junior category Botho Marope won first place after beating Kenewang White to the finishing line. Mosa Badubi came in third place after managing to complete the race in 26 minutes and 31 seconds.
In the youth boys category Thabo Maretetse came in position one after completing the 6km cross country race in 13 minutes and 55 seconds. Falling in second place was Mpho Diporo whilst Katlego Sebekedi came in third place respectively.
In the youth girls category, which was a 4km race, Gaone Moilwa won the race. Kedumetse Ramokate and Boitshoko Keitshokile came in second and third place respectively.
This will mean that after winning the national championships in their respective categories, Sylvester Koko, Botho Marope, Thabo Maretetse and Gaone Moilwa are all a step closer to securing a spot in the national team which will represent Botswana at the upcoming world championships in China.
