Tsotsang Maine wins the Southern Africa Regional Half Marathon (© Mark Ouma)
Lesotho's defending champion Tsotsang Maine and Mamarolla Tjoka were crowned winners at the Southern Africa Region Half Marathon Championships in the capital Maseru on Saturday (22).
The well organised competition consisted of a point to point course from Leribe to Setsoto Stadium. Several Lesotho guest runners who ply their trade in South Africa joined in to accompany the competitors through the hilly course in the mountain kingdom. It is the first time in the region's history that athletes received prize money however modest.
MEN
Athletes got off to a cautious start, as they ran up a gentle incline in the opening kilometres. Until eight kilometres Botswana's Keihebe Mosoahi, Kabo Gabaseme and Kaelo Mosalagae Namibians David Thomas and Leonard Namupala together with Mozambique's Louis Jones stayed in contact with the 11-man Lesotho contingent leading the race.
After 10km (32min 10 seconds), the effects of the thinner air begun to take its toll. First Jones and then Thomas and Namupala fell off the pace. The lead group remained an all-Lesotho affair to the end of the race.
At 12km Maine surged to the lead taking with him Warinyana Lebopo, Moeketsi Mosuhuli, Thabo Ntlaboe, Tiisetso Ramokhseseng, and Malefetsane Tumi. Lebopo put up a tenacious challenge. However Maine's experience counted as he went onto win in 1:06.33. Lebopo (Lesotho) 1:06.46, guest runner Moeketsi Mosuhuli (1:07.03), and Thabo Ntlaboe (1:07.38) followed.
"My aim was to retain the title I won in Maputo (Mozambique) last year. I am still doing long distance runs in preparations for the Soweto Marathon (Johannesburg South Africa) next month. So I am not too worried about my time especially since we run at high altitude," says Maine.
WOMEN
In contrast the women's race had its moments of drama. Home girl Mamarolla Tjoka may have thought it was going to be an easy victory when she broke away after three kilometres. However, the South African continent of Catherine Nkosi, Gloria Baeba, Ennerien van Schalkwyk, Zintle Xiniwe and Simangele Mabuza clawed their way back over three kilometres.
They run as a group until 15km when Tjoka again surged this time only Nkosi and Baeba responded. Their spirited challenge took its toll in the last two kilometres as Van Schalkwyk came from behind to clinch second spot in 1:23.26. Nkosi (1:23.59), Marelise Retief (1:24.12), Baeba (1:24.19) took the minor positions.
"The race was not too hard as I am used to the hill in Lesotho," says Tjoka. "I am preparing for the Soweto Marathon which I want to win for a third consecutive outing. This win gives me confidence that I can win the Soweto Marathon for the third straight year," says Tjoka.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
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