Foreign runners for Phikwe marathon

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday June 24, 2010 00:00

A member of the marathon's organising committee, Sean Chitsiga said during a tour of the course that athletes from South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have entered the event. South Africa has 10 runners, two of which are professionals. Zimbabwe has five while Kenya, Lesotho and Namibia have one each.

Chitsiga told journalists, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) technical officers, Selebi-Phikwe Town Council roads engineer and traffic police representatives who toured the course that the number of entrants is very good. 

'We are receiving at least 50 registrations per day since last week and about 500 people who have registered have paid.

There are 200 people who have faxed their registration forms from across the country. It is a clear indication that people know about the race and we are marketing it well,' he said.

Chitsiga added that the route that will be used this year is different and complicated. He said the organising committee will need assistance from the police and volunteers to control traffic and give directions to athletes.

The marathon's marketing and sponsorship officer, Tiro Kganela said preparations have gone well and sponsors are responding positively. He said they are waiting for athletics clubs to submit their registrations. 

Ogomoditse Gaokgethelwe, a member of the organising committee, said councillors have promised to mobilise members of the community to participate in the race. She said despite the new route, they expect the event to take place without a hitch.

'We have decided to change the route because we wanted residents of this town to feel the marathon and to be part of it. We did not want a route that goes out of town. People would like to see runners because over the years, people have not been feeling the presence of the marathon,' said Gaokgethelwe.

The course was measured and given clearance by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) in late May.

The course had to be re-measured after the completion of the Independence Road that is part of the route. The route uses the busiest areas in town that includes the mall.

The finishing area has been moved to an open place behind the Bosele Hotel instead of the usual front part of the facility.BAA technical officer, Bobby Gaseitsiwe said they want to see athletics growing in the country and it is through events like the Phikwe marathon that can help move the sport forward.

He was impressed with the course and the BAA has endorsed the route. Winners in both the men and women's sections will pocket P25,000 in cash.