Leemisa Thuseho
MARATHONER, Tšepo Ramashamole, shone on Sunday when he came third in his debut appearance in the annual Soweto Marathon in Gauteng.
He completed the 42, 2km race in 2:20:21 and pocketed a whopping M90 000 prize for his troubles.
The race was dominated by Ethiopian athletes with Daba Ifa Debele (2:18:58) coming first ahead of his compatriot, Gedisa Bekele Gutamma who recorded 2:19:27. Debele and Gutamma pocketed M250 000 and M120 000 respectively.
In the same category, Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane finished seventh after completing the race in 2:23:38. Motlokoa Mkhabutlane came ninth clocking 2:24:04.
The 42, 2km women’s category was also won by an Ethiopian, Chatltu Bedo Negashu who clocked 2:40:56. ‘Malineo Mahloko was the only Lesotho female in the top 10 coming ninth recording 2:57:01.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times, Ramashamole said he enjoyed the race and he believed he could have done better had it not been for the cramp he suffered during the race.
“The race was competitive, but I enjoyed it because the course was relatively easy,” Ramashamole said.
“The Ethiopian runners gave me tough time, but I did my best given that I suffered from cramps towards the end and was forced to lower my speed and manage the pace till the finish.”
Since this was his debut appearance in the competition, his target was to finish the race.
Olympian, Khoarahlane Seutloali, came seventh in the men’s 21, 1km recording 1:09:35. In the women’s category, Reitumetse Thethana, finished sixth clocking 1:30:48.
