12 Sep 2019

 The annual Orange Phikwe marathon will be held at Sam Sono Stadium in Selebi Phikwe on September 14. 

The marathon, which starts and finishes at Sam Sono Stadium, is sponsored by Orange Botswana to the tune of P660 000 for the next three years.

Local Organising Committee chairperson, Omphemetse Makwape said in an interview that the marathon was growing in leaps and bounds and was expected to attract local and international runners.

Even though registration is still ongoing Lekwape said runners from countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia had already registered to partake in the marathon, adding that so far, the numbers of runners who had registered were very impressive.

Last year, the marathon attracted 1 200 runners from various categories. 

Lekwape said the marathon was held highly by the runners as it can be used to qualify for other international marathons. 

Registration can be done online at www.selebiphikwemarathon.com or manually at Phikwe mall in front of the Phikwe Orange shop. Categories for the marathon range from 5km fun run to the 42.2km being the longest race.

Other races include 10km and 21km, which replaced the 15km category of which Lekwape said was not challenging to the runners hence was replaced with the 21km race. 

Registration for 5km race is P100, 10km  is P150 whilst 21km and 42.2km are registered with P200 and P250 respectively.

Corporate clubs from Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Botswana Tourism Organisation and Water Utilities Corporation are also expected to grace the event with corporate registration going for P10 000, which is also inclusive of other activities.

Runners will also have the opportunity to win prizes with 42.2km getting the highest prize money of P25 000 for first prize, whilst the 21km winner will pocket P9 000.

The 10km race first position rinner will walk away with P5 000 whilst 5km race will be for fun. ENDS