Haitope wins Kazungula Bridge half marathon in Botswana

• BY Michael Uugwanga   

FOR those who have followed marathon running in the country, Lavinia Haitope is undoubtedly a talented athlete who is regarded as the next Helalia Johanness when she was in her early twenties.

However, her comparison to Johannes did not pan out as many expected, as she struggled to fill the shoes of renowned marathon runner Johannes, still regarded as the country’s best long-distance runner.

After a rough three years, Haitope has not been seen competing and winning internationally as she has done locally, but her performance locally is second to none.

Haitope was a high-profile long-distance runner who participated in the World Athletics-sanctioned Kazungula Bridge Half Marathon in Botswana on February 24.

She won the women’s half marathon in 1:19:24, ahead of Kenya’s Alice Koech in 1:19:30 and Zimbabwe’s Rudo Mhonderwa at 1:20:02. Speaking to Confidente after winning the competition, an elated Haitope (34), now in the twilight of her career, stated that her goal has always been to qualify for the Olympics. 

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