27 Feb 2026

The fifth edition of the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon (KBM) that is scheduled to take place tomorrow will see runners traversing Kasane and ascending the majestic Kazungula Bridge.

In an interview, marathon's founder and CEO, Obert Morgan stated that preparations were at their tail end and that athletes had also started arriving. Morgan said race packs had been delivered to participants unlike in the past where collection was done at the last minute.

He said a total of 3,500 runners had registered to compete in the marathon, a slight decline from the past races. This, he attributed to the financial constraints across government departments and parastatals, which had rendered ministries unable to field their employees for participation and exhibitions.

Morgan said SADC countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa as well as Kenya had fielded athletes while other participants would be from the US, Asia and Europe. He underscored that the marathon was a money spinner for the Chobe region, explaining that hotels and lodges were usually fully booked during the marathon weekend.

“The marathon gets businesses in Chobe excited as they get to make optimum profits and stimulate economic growth.”

Morgan said the 5km race had been by an 8km one, which would have athletes traverse over the Kazungula Bridge, giving them the feel of the bridge, something that was not part of the 5km race. Moreover, he said a 15km had been introduced in replacement of the 10km race in order to cut logistical arrangements brought about by numerous race distances.

He explained also that there would be a gala dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the five-year milestone. Morgan said the Local Organising Committee comprising government agencies and the private sector of the Chobe region was well prepared for the marathon.

He said the Department of Wildlife and National Parks would be conducting patrols, with its officers deployed at certain spots during the race to ensure that runners were protected from wildlife.

The founder said the weather forecast as provided by BITRI indicated that the weather would be pleasant with scattered thundershowers and clear skies expected on Saturday. He revealed that prize money for the race had been reduced this year due to economic constraints.

Morgan highlighted that Botswana Athletics Association as technical partners of the marathon, had marked and documented the route to ensure runners were directed accordingly. This, he said was to avoid a repeat of 2024 incidents where some athletes veered off the route and got lost. BOPA