03 Jul 2017

Orange in partnership with Selebi Phikwe community will host a marathon on August 5.

Registration is on-going and athletes can register online and registration fee includes: 42.2 km-P200, 15km-P150, 10km-P100 and 4km-P75.

The marathon presents an opportunity for discovery of talented athletes who can represent the country on the international platform.

Kennedy Dudzayi, Selebi Phikwe Local Organising Committee public relations officer said as orange and Selebi Phikwe they saw an opportunity to commercially package the Orange Phikwe marathon to support businesses in Selebi Phikwe.

He further said the success of the 2016 event made them more convinced that this marathon was important for the town of Selebi Phikwe and could be utilised especially in the current era to help rebuild Selebi Phikwe.

“But more than that, the marathon can be used to promote tourism and to support different businesses in Selebi Phikwe and surrounding villages. Sport tourism, is a trend that is growing internationally, cities are competing to host sporting events to improve their image, showcase their talents and importantly to grow their economy,’’ said Dudzayi.

He noted that they had used feedback from last year’s marathon to make changes and improvements to this year’s event.

Dudzayi said for the media, they had made a centre at the Marathon Village where they would facilitate interviews with the athletes as a way of providing information when requested.

“We also commit to holding high standards of safety throughout the event. Our partners including road safety agency, Selebi Phikwe Town Council and Botswana Police Service are engaged to put in place necessary mitigatory measures to ensure a safe environment for all,’’ he said.

He said preparations had already started as LOC and SPEDU were on the ground daily coordinating all different activities.

Dudzayi encouraged other corporates to register teams to participate in the marathon or come as sponsors as a way to stand together to make Selebi Phikwe great again. ENDS