GC Mayor�s Marathon seek IAAF recognition
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday September 8, 2017 15:27
Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone this week, BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said the Commission has advised the organisers to engage the BAA to ensure that the event is of required standards so it could be added to the IAAF calendar of events. He further said blossoming marathon help in improving the country’s economy through sport tourism hence the need to seek international recognition.
“As the BNSC, we are tasked with growing sport in the country. We are also tasked with helping grow the economy through sports. A marathon is a perfect opportunity and if everything is done right, it would pay dividends. We should make sure that the marathon is accredited with IAAF; we have already talked with BAA. They (organisers) should not worry about numbers now but to see that the marathon is of required standards. We (BNSC) will duly support you (organisers) at all costs,” he said.
For his part, the event coordinator, Bruce Nkgakile said they have taken hid of BNSC’s advice hence would speed up their talks with the BAA. He also announced that they are working on a P3 million budget, but have only managed to source P2 million in kind and cash thus far. Nkgakile further said the route for the marathon has been designated to pass through the city’s places of importance. “The route has been designated. It was not only designed to meet the distance, but to pass through all the places of importance in the city. The intention is to sell the city to the participants,” he said.
City mayor, Kagiso Thutlwe said the city’s leadership after realisation that the nation’s capital was ‘sleeping’ they had to come with ideas of awakening the city. He said that the intention is to host the best marathon ever held in the country. He said through this initiative this could help boost the city’s economy.
The organisers said they set a target to register 5,000 runners before the registration period closes on Sunday. The race has already attracted runners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia and China amongst others. The marathon would take place on September 16. The winners of the 42km race will walk away with $5,000 (P50,000), runners up with $3,000 (P30,000) the third placed would pocket $2,000 (P20,000). For the 10km race gold, silver and bronze medallists would pocket P20,000, P10,000 and P5,000 respectively.