11 Jun 2015

The first ever Maun Marathon is billed for August 29 not in July as initially planned.

The marathon committee public relations and marketing officer, Livingstone Kentshitswe, said in an interview. He said the postponement was due to the clash of the dates of the marathon with the Selebi Phikwe marathon.

Kentshitswe added that the Maun marathon committee realised the importance to give athletes willing to participate in both activities a grace period. He added that the postponement would grant the organizing committee enough time to wrap up preparations.

Kentshitswe said unlike other marathons, Maun marathon was a community project under the auspices of Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO). He therefore said the marathon aimed to raise funds for community benefit as well as to develop upcoming athletes.

The marathon had been divided into four folds of 42.2 km, which is the longest distance at P150 registration, 21.1 km at P100, 10 km at P75, and the fun race 4km at P50 registration.

All marathons will start at the Maun Sports Complex and routes have been approved by the relevant stakeholders, which include the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Botswana Police Service.

He said the Maun Marathon will be an annual event and will address short and long term plans and the first project is to build a home for the elderly in Maun, which is the first of its kind.

Thus he said the proceeds from the marathon will ensure the mission is achieved, adding that the marathon committee will ensure the top three winners get prize money and appropriate training. Kentshitswe pointed out that Maun Marathon targets upcoming athletes to unearth talent and to get youth out of the streets.

The 42km first prize is P15 000, second Prize P10 000 and third Prize is P 5 000, for 21km first prize is P10 000, second prize is P 7 500 and third prizes is P 5 000 while 10km first prize is 5 000, second prize P3 000 and third prize is P2 000. 

For the 4km race, only the first prize of P1 000 will be awarded as it is a fun race and there will be price money for both females and males taking positions one to three (Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists). 

A dinner to award the winners will be held in their honor after the marathon He noted that Ngamiland is a hub for great sports men and women as evidenced by some sports icons who originate from the region.

He added that Maun Marathon has already secured some sponsors such as Cresta Hotel, Duma FM as the official broadcaster, KBL and others. ENDS