24 Sep 2015

October 1 will always be engraved in the hearts of Makuta residents as a day set aside to witness influx of people, coming to witness and participate in the FNB Foundation Nswazwi marathon. 

The race, which is registered with Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), will start at Sebina Post Office ending in Makuta. 

The marathon public relations officer, Gerald Bashingi said there would be 21.1km and 4 km race. He said preparations for the big event were going on well adding that, athletes had also registered in large numbers. 

Last year, 21.1km marathon was won by SSKB Athletics Club Kelebonye Sembowa after clocking 1:11:55, while veteran race was won by 62-year-old, Chebangwe Timba of Sebina who clocked 3:36:00. 

However, Bashingi said this year’s edition will be bigger and better, as the price money has been increased; adding that last year, the champion walked away with P1800 but this year P5000 is at stake for both women and men’s category. In addition, he said, top Botswana’s athletes amongst them, African Games, 400 metres gold medallist Isaac ‘Badman’ Makwala, bronze medallist Onkabetse ‘Tolly’ Nkobolo and 2012 Olympic Games 800 metres silver medallist Nijel ‘Zoro’Amos will grace the marathon. 

The Marathon is on its fifth year, and FNB came on board last year  sponsoring the event to the tune of P30 000 and this year the bank injected P180 000 for the next three years. According to Bashingi, the objective of the marathon is to generate interest in athletics more especially road running which if cultivated in individuals can lead to a lifelong habit which in turn can promote a healthy well-being. 

He said the half marathon would also provide an opportunity for students and athletes to engage in meaningful activities that act as interventions to the problems of alcohol and drug abuse. 

“This is a mutually beneficial relationship that is based on shared vision of promoting the sport of athletics,” he said. 

The marathon, which is held in honour of the late Kgosi Nswazwi, is hosted in partnership with Domboshaba Cultural Trust, University of Botswana Athletics Club and Makuta Youth Society. 

There are three categories of the race, senior women and men category, veteran men and women, junior men and women as well as local men and women.  Ends