Stage set for maiden F-town beMOBILE marathon
Chakalisa Dube | Friday February 13, 2015 14:00
Yesterday, one of the organisers, Ben Tobedza said that the marathon has reached the number of targeted participants. “Overall, we have around 1,500 local runners who have registered for the marathon across all categories. Almost all logistics for the race have been completed. Two of the three Kenyan runners who have registered for the marathon will arrive today. I am not sure about the third participant. He has not confirmed that he will come for the marathon,” said Tobedza.
“We closed registration on Tuesday evening. 90% of those who have registered are in the 10km and 4km races while the rest are in the 21km and 42km races.” Tobedza added that close to ten Zimbabwean athletes will arrive in the country by road early tomorrow for the event. In addition, 16 individuals with disabilities will be part of the marathon. “They will have their special 10 km category in which they will compete among themselves.”
It will be the first time that a marathon in the country has featured those with disabilities.
Tobedza said besides the main sponsors, nine companies that have paid P3,000 each, would exhibit at the stadium where the proceedings of the event will be held. He added that there would be a party after the race, which will feature local artists such as DJ La Timmy, Nono and Stream Jazz.
Francistown mayor, Sylvia Muzila is expected to officially open the race. In the open category for the main 42km race, the winner will walk away with P8,000. The runner-up will fetch P5,000 and the third placed runner will earn P3,000. Number four will get P1,000. There will be cash rewards for other runners in the top 10 in the open category of the 42 km race.
In the veteran category of the 42 km race, the winner will be rewarded with P2,000. The second and third placed finishers will receive P1,500 and P1,000 respectively. There will also be those who will feature in the 42km race who are aged over 50. They are classified as masters and the winner will earn P1,000 while the second placed runner will earn P750.
There will be a 4 km fun race in which participants will only get appreciation medals.
The naming rights of the marathon have been granted to beMOBILE, which are the main sponsors. The company has forked out P500,000 to sponsor the event. The event will act as a qualifying race for the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Because it is in its pilot stage, the marathon will not be used to qualify for races sanctioned by the International Athletics Association Federation or Botswana Athletics Association. Routes for all marathon races have been circulating in the media.