beMOBILE marathon targets 2,500 runners
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday May 13, 2016 14:02
Organising committee chairperson, Ben Tobedza, during the marathon’s launch recently, said they are confident the numbers would double.
“We have in contract with our sponsor a projection of 2,500 runners, but we are sure the marathon is going to hit double that number,” he said. “Last year, the marathon was a huge success and we reached over 3,000 runners, hence we are optimistic again this year.”
He said all proceeds from registration fees would go towards charity.
“Last year we donated over P200,000.00 worth of goods from the marathon proceeds to six charity organisations,” Tobedza added. “We will continue to donate 100 percent of the marathon’s registration proceeds to charity.” Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) Foundation sponsors the race for P500, 000.00.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, BTCL strategy manager, Chris Diswai said they are pleased that last year’s marathon met their objectives and therefore the foundation would ensure the 2016 edition succeeds.
Diswai said: “It gives us comfort to continue supporting this noble initiative that aims at raising funds for charitable causes while promoting friendship and a healthy lifestyle.
We are hoping that our humble gesture of supporting the marathon will continue to touch and change many lives, for the better as all proceeds go to deserving causes.”
“We are confident that the economic benefits that this will bring to Francistown and surrounding villages will increase as the reputation of the marathon and BTCL foundation becomes prominent.”
The Mayor of Francistown, Silvia Muzila said the city was proud of the marathon.
Muzila said: “This event makes us proud, it continues to excite the people of Francistown. This was the first sporting event that we hosted last year and it opened gates of more sporting success for us.
We went on to host successful football matches and the Botswana Games.
“This event also inspires our youth to be innovative and look at other ways that they can start up events similar to this. This is our event and we will continue to support it.”