Selebi-Phikwe Marathon course gets IAAF nod

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday June 4, 2010 00:00

IAAF measurer, Norrie Williamson said in a report to the race organisers that the course measurement complies with the federation's rules.  He said it was crucial to measure the course to ensure that the length is not less than the prescribed distance for the event. Williamson said the course had to be re-measured after Independence road, which falls on the marathon route, was re-done. 'The organisers provided a route proposal of 37 kilometres and the desire for 15 kilometres and 42 kilometres' events. I spent a considerable time redesigning the route, using the principles established by the organisers in order to ensure that it met IAAF standards,' he said.

Williamson noted that it is important to the race organisers that the routes made use of the busiest areas including the town centre and the initial 15km were also to be common as this would give the runners some greater recognition. He said the measurements were made last month and the organisers' request to move the finishing  point into an open area behind Bosele Hotel was approved.

He explained that the initial 15 km was determined from finish to start and this initially left the course short by 62 metres. Willamson said the start was brought back to 26 metres west of the hotel open area.

Mascom sponsors the marathon, which is celebrating its silver jubilee this year, to the tune of P250, 000. There are three races being the 42.2km, 15km and 4km competitions.

The event takes place on July 10 with the winners in the 42.2km race set to pocket P25,000, the biggest purse money in local competitions.

Local race coordinator, Tiro Kganela said runners from other countries have shown interest in taking part.  'We have given a green light to runners from countries such as Lesotho, Ethiopia, South-Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Most runners use this race to qualify for IAAF marathons,' he said. Kganela said the marathon would benefit all sectors of the community because of the large number of people expected to attend.