Strong response to Phikwe Marathon

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday May 10, 2013 00:00

A member of the organising committee, Masego Masunga, told Mmegi Sport that they are excited about the growing numbers of people they are registering.   She explained that many people have shown interest, including runners from countries South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Kenyans, who swept the boards at the Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon last weekend,  have also shown interest in Phikwe Marathon.

Masunga added that they had an opportunity to market the Selebi-Phikwe Maratho at the Gaborone Marathon.This year will see introduction of the 10-kilometre race for men and women because last year many people complained that the four-kilometre fun run was too short. Masunga said the winner of the new race will be rewarded with a cash prize of P2, 000, the second will  receive P1, 000while the third prize is P750. She stated that the main stage of the marathon will be the 42.2 kilometres for both men and women.

The winners of the race will walk away P25, 000 richer for both men and women. The second price is P15, 000 and the runners who will come third will pocket P7, 500. Masunga stated that Phikwe marathon is the biggest race in the country and it is used to qualify for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) events.

The other category is 42, 2 kilometres for veterans, aged between 40 and 49 years. For this one, the winner will pocket P2, 000, the second P1, 500 and the third P1, 000. There is also the master veterans' category, which is for people aged 50 years the and above. The winner in this category will walk away with P1, 000, second prize is P750 and the third P300. 

Masunga explained that the prize money for master veterans and veterans is little because the categories do not take into consideration the running time, the races being just for fun.  The will also be a 15-kilometre race for students to attract more young people Phikwe Marathon. 'The winners will walk away with P5, 000, the second to reach the finishing line will receive P2, 500 and the P1, 000,' Masunga said. 

The four-kilometre fun run is being maintained for people who are health conscious.Venues for registration for this year's Phikwe Marathon are Cresta hotels and Mascom shops in Francistown and Selebi-Phikwe, KB Mall in Gaborone and  Selebi-Phikwe Mall near the post office.