BAA's cross country series this weekend

Long distance race fans will be in for a treat this weekend when Lefika Athletics Club hosts the 3rd round of the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) cross country series at Kopong village in the Kweneng district.  

However, one of   the favourites in the 10 km senior men’s category Sesebo Matlapeng has confirmed that he will not be taking part in the race this weekend as he is already preparing for the event’s grand finale to take place in a fortnight.

Matlapeng has already booked a place in the final of the series and has opted not to tire himself with the weekend race. It has been the rivalry between Matlapeng and his nemesis Rapula Diphoko that previously enthralled the hordes of marathon  supporters.

Matlapeng’s absence thus means that Diphoko is likely to have a field day in the competition on Saturday. Moreover, race organiser, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said that last year’s national cross country champion Godiraone Nthomphe is yet to be confirmed for the race, adding that the runner has not been attending races consistently.

“This   race will be important for all the runners as they will be   preparing themselves for the cross country final which will take place two weeks after the final round of the series scheduled for the northern part of the country next week,” Ramatshaba said.

He added, “To qualify for the finals, the   runners have to compete in two editions of the cross country series. However, any runner can register to compete in the cross country finals but they will not be crowned as national champions if they win that event without previously competing in the series.”

The IAAF has since changed the cross-country rules by reducing the senior men’s category length from 12 to 10 km, according to Ramatshaba. He added that the senior women’s   and junior men’s category remain at 8 km while the junior women’s category is 6km.

The runners to look out for in the women’s category will be Onneile Dintwe of Sports View Club, Tiango Nema of SSKB, Maria Maano (SSKB) and Joyce Tau (Gaborone Runners Club). Ramatshaba has since called on Kopong residents and those from surrounding areas to attend the race, adding that it was not often that such an event is staged in the area.

The start-finish line will be at Macheke ward next to Kopong Junior Secondary School. Entries will be allowed an hour before the race. The event is expected to start at 9am.