22 Jul 2015

The annual Mantheng Marathon at Sefhare in the Tswapong area has been improving in leaps and bounds since its inception in the past three years, the representative of the organising team of the marathon, Kese Ditsabatho said in an interview.

Ditsabatho said apart from the increase in the number of participants from different parts of the country, this year’s marathon which is scheduled for August 8 received P30 000 00 sponsorship from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC).

He said they are going to use some of the money for preparations to improve its standard. He added that he was happy that the MYSC has promised support every year.

“Mantheng Marathon is targeting upcoming athletes and aims to unearth talent in order to get the youth out of the streets,” he pointed out.

He added that this year’s marathon has also attracted more stakeholders compared to previous ones.

He said stakeholders such as Mahalapye sub district council, Machaneng Police Station, Legal Guard Botswana and Sefhare Primary Hospital among others are working together with the organising team to ensure the event becomes successful.

He continued to say the marathon which covers a distance of 21.1 km, will start at Sefhare and proceed to Mokobeng and return to Sefhare, and that the marathon was divided into male and female categories.

He said they will also be short races which are 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and the relays. He noted that he was also expecting students from different schools to take part in short races. He said the top three winners from all the categories will walk away with prize money.

He also indicated that the day will be wrapped up with aerobics which will be led by Sefhare Primary Hospital.

Ditsabatho, who is also a Youth Development Fund (YDF) beneficiary, said he planned to use the day to promote youth businesses as he has invited some YDF beneficiaries from Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency to come and showcase their products and services. Ends