20 Aug 2014

Twenty-two charity organisations have been selected to benefit from this year’s Diacore Gaborone Marathon proceeds.

Some of the organisations that will receive a short in the arm include Phudologong Rehabilitation Centre, Bana Ba Metsi, Khama Charitable Trust, St Peters Day Care Centre, Cynthias Day Care, Semphete Care Centre, Gamodubo Child Care Trust and Ycare Charitable Trust.

Briefing the media, the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Kitso Mokaila said the Diacore Gaborone Marathon was important in terms of keeping the momentum of the tourism sector to attract tourists.

He noted that the last Diacore Gaborone Marathon attracted 4 500 runners and that some of the spectators came from different countries. Minister Mokaila, who is also the Diacore Gaborone Marathon ambassador, said the hotel industry benefitted from the event. 

The marathon also benefitted volunteers since they gained experience of dealing with diverse people from different countries, he said. He said he was happy that the marathon was also sponsored by a diamond company Diacore, adding the aim of the marathon was to shine like a diamond. 

The marathon had become the biggest race in the country. “This marathon is shining in the homes of many people; we want to polish more rough athletes in Botswana. In fact, the marathon is competing with the desert race, and therefore it is not an event to miss,” he said.

The chairperson of Diacore Gaborone Marathon, Thola Magang said registration for the 2015 race was opened on August 1 and would be closed on October 3. He said they expected over 7 000 people to participate in the marathon in some  form.

Magang said registration was done online and could be accessed on www.diacoregaborone marathon.com. He said payment could be made via credit cards, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or cash payments at any Stanbic Bank branch nationalwide.

He said they have introduced a pro pack that could be purchased separately and contains a race tag, shirt and a goody bag.

The next Diacore Gaborone Marathon is penciled for 22 March next year and it is expected that the number of runners from in and outside the country will increase. ENDS