The round one, which is dubbed Mmopane200, is the first 200km of the 2,400km long championship. The 2025 BMS championship will move to the Sarona Kalahari 1000 Race, the longest of the eight rounds to be held in Jwaneng. Orapa and Paje will follow for the fourth and fifth rounds in July and August respectively. Maun will host the sixth round in September whilst Ntimbale in the North East will be the final round of the championship. This would be the most widely spread championship, with a race in almost every part of the country.
Ahead of the first round of the Mmopane200, BMS vice president, Rose Mamaloukos, said at press time, only 16 entrants submitted with the number expected to increase before the closing deadline this evening. "The entries are, as of this morning, 16 and counting, as people are still sorting their racing licence and insurance. By the time entries close today, we would be able to share the full number of entries," Mamaloukos said on Thursday morning. Despite the euphoria that comes with the start of the championship season, the competitors are likely to battle in the sands for no reward. BMS is yet to secure a sponsor for the championship and Mamaloukos said they remain optimistic. "Yes (there is no prize money), but we are hopeful as the championship progresses," she said. Mamaloukos expressed further hope that the 2025 season will begin and conclude without a hitch after the previous season was cut short. The final round of the 2024 Cross-Country Championship was forfeited due to scorching weather conditions in early December. "We shall update soon about the 2024 championship prize giving as we had postponed it to this year," Mamaloukos.
