Mikia Kalati
MAMOROALLO Tjoka and Jobo Khatooane were crowned winners at last weekend’s Queen Mamahato Royal Half Marathon in Mafeteng what did they win.
Tjoka won the race in the female category while Khatooane scooped the first prize in the male category at the two-day event which also included a horse race on Sunday.
Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association (LAAA) public relations officer Sejanamane Maphathe the Lesotho Times that they were impressed with the athletes’ turn-out on Saturday.
The winners in the half-marathon walked away with M15 000 in both categories.
“We had the half-marathon in Mafeteng on Saturday and it was won by Khatooane in the male category while Tjoka was the winner in the women’s race,” Maphathe said.
“The turnout was very good. In fact, I was impressed with the attendance of the athletes in the two categories of the competition.
“The race was graced by all the top runners in the country and it is understandable because it’s a race for the Royal family and it’s an honour for every athlete to take part in it.”
The race also consisted of the 5km race for young athletes which was won by Thebe Sesinyi in the male category while Nyaliseng Shale walked away with first prize in the woman’s category.
Both winners pocketed M1500 each.
Maphathe said that the athletics association will now shift its attention to the National Cross-Country Championship to be staged on the 16th of next month in Leribe.
“We will stage the cross-country championship on 16 February and as usual, it’s our first big event of the year and we have chosen Leribe district to host this year’s event.
“This is where we will also select our team to compete at the African and World Cross-Country championships later this year. We also have several other events to attend this year such as the World Championships among others,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lesotho Horseracing Association vice president, Thato Sefale says that their horse racing event which took place on Sunday was also a success.
“It was very successful race for us apart from a few technical challenges. We are very happy with how things went on Sunday.
“The Royal event is very big and has gone a long way towards improving the standards of the sport in the country. We are grateful for the annual event as the numbers in terms of spectators and participants are also growing with each year.
“It shows that we are on the right track though there is still a long way to go,” Sefale said.
