Over 2,000 expected for Orange Phikwe marathon

Staff Writer | Thursday July 28, 2016 11:36

Speaking at the Fun Run and Press Conference held recently, Selebi-Phikwe mayor, Amogelang Mojuta said they were ready to welcome runners from across the country as well as international runners to their small mining town. The marathon will be held on Saturday with the start and finish points being at the Selebi-Phikwe Stadium. The marathon will feature four race categories namely the 42.2km marathon as the main race, the 15km, the 10km and the 4km fun run open to runners across the age spectrum ranging from professional runners to amateurs and children. Winners of the 42.2km, 15km, 10km and veteran races winning P25,000, P7,500, P5,000 and P2,000 respectfully. As the only IAAF-accredited and registered marathon in Botswana, the Phikwe Marathon will be used as a pre-qualifier for the 2017 edition of the Africa Championships.  Registration for the marathon closed on July 26. Speaking on behalf of Orange Botswana, chief executive officer, Dr Patrick Benon said they are always looking for avenues within which they can support and contribute significantly to the growth and development of sports in the country.

“The Phikwe Marathon is our first partnership in the athletics space and we are very excited to be breaking new ground as an organisation.  We are looking forward to a bigger and better edition of the marathon this year,” he said. After the race, runners and Phikwe residents will be treated to fun and entertainment at the Orange Togetherness Celebration music festival, which will be held as an afterparty.

The festival will be held on July 30 from 1600hrs at the Phikwe Stadium featuring local and international hitmakers such as Dr Malinga, Heavy K, DJ Bino, Groovysouls and many more. According to Orange, the combination of the marathon and Orange Togetherness Celebration is not only to reward and treat runners to fun-filled entertainment but also to raise funds for charity.

“The funds raised through the Orange Togetherness Celebration music festival will build a kitchen facility for the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), which we trust will go a long way in helping the young mothers and out-of-school girls in Phikwe and surrounding areas,” he said. Tickets for the afterparty are available at Liquoramas in Phikwe, Francistown (Galo Mall), Palapye and Gaborone (Rail Park).