Two UB Staff Members Win Medals in Maiden Comrades Marathon Appearance
University of Botswana is proud of Dr Makamu Sebakeng from the Department of Emergency Medicine and Mr Kgosietsile Bopadile from Campus Services for successfully completing their maiden Comrades Marathon held in South Africa on June 11, 2023.
Mr Bopadile completed the race in 9hrs 13min 26sec securing the Robert Mtshali Medal (aka the Sub 10 Hour medal) while Dr Sebakeng completed in 10hrs 55min 44sec, obtaining the Comrades Bronze Medal (aka the Sub 11 Hour Medal). The 90km race was to be completed in less than 12 hours for one to be considered a finisher.
The race which took the athletes from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (down-run) was the 96th edition of the ultra-marathon. During the build-up to the race, both runners had to have completed a full marathon (42.2 km) in at least 4hrs 49min 59sec to qualify for the Comrades Marathon and undergo intensive training in the build-up to race day.
Both Mr Bopadile and Dr Sebakeng will be returning next year for the 97th edition which is scheduled to be an up run (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) in their pursuit for the Comrades Back-to-Back medal. The Back-to-Back medal is awarded to any novice that completes two Comrades marathons in succession. The duo is looking forward to the UB community's support.