08 Sep 2016

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) is not amused by organisation of the Great BW Marathon, stating that the event has been organised outside the rules of the association and those of IAAF, and has therefore distanced itself from the marathon.

BOMAID is sponsor of the Great BW Marathon which was held for the first time in Francistown last weekend. Subsequent races are planned for Maun this weekend, Jwaneng on September 18 and Gaborone on October 30.

BAA secretary general Legojane Kebaitse has pointed that the Great BW Marathon was not sanctioned by BAA. 

Kebaitse said in an interview on Wednesday that the race organisers tried to get permission to stage their event but were told by BAA that their request came late. He said the organisers proceeded to contact IAAF regarding the matter but were referred back to BAA which refused to grant permission.

The secretary general explained that one of the race dates would have clashed with Lucara BOT50 Independence Half Marathon which is sanctioned by BAA. Furthermore, he stressed that the distance used by Great BW Marathon is not applicable to BAA marathons standards.

“We made it clear to them that it was going to be difficult for us to sanction their marathon since it will be competed in four villages on different dates. Mind you, any athlete who runs a marathon must run the next one after three months. That is why we have Gaborone Marathon in March and Phikwe Marathon in July so that whoever wishes to take part in both is catered for,” Kebaitse said. Another bone of contention for BAA is that the Great BW Marathon has a 50km race category. Kebaitse said there is no such thing as a 50km race in any book of athletics, arguing that it was against the rules and regulations of IAAF.

“Where we sanction a race we sit down and agree with the organiser on certain things. We would also like to inform our affiliates and structures to desist from competing in these races in any capacity as they are organised outside the rules and regulations of BAA and IAAF,” he said.

The race coordinator, Vincy Mosimanewakgang vowed that they would continue with their planned marathon even without blessings from BAA.

He expressed disappointment that BAA was now distancing itself from Great BW Marathon even though the association advised them to deal with the clubs.

He said the essence of Great BW Marathon was to celebrate peace, beauty and heritage of Botswana. Mosimanewakgang said the event was anchored around routes that pass through the heritage sites of different towns/cities in the country.

“This highlights and reminds Batswana to treasure these sites and will leave a fond experience of the heritage sites for participants. The different heritage sites will be water points for the marathon,” Mosimanewakgang said.

Mosimanewakgang was also disappointed that BAA tried to force them to postpone the marathon to next year, despite the fact that they had already spent a lot of money preparing for the competition.

 “We personally don't have issues with BAA. In fact we still want to work with them as we continue to refine our concept because in the long run we want to be aligned and move away from the fun marathon component and align our marathon with the international standard,” he said. ENDS