The total budget for prize monies was P69,800 and the club had raised P42,800 by midweek. BDF Athletics Club sponsorship manager, Gerald Bashingi, said during a press briefing this week that in the event of a shortfall they will have to make plans. “We have a contingency plan for the shortfall.
If we do not get sponsors, we get closer to the prize money from the previous event. We do not intend to go below that or rather match the prizes we had in 2019,” he said. Bashingi said the P27,000 can be sourced from the money that was raised during registration.
The half marathon is scheduled for Sunday at the SSKB BDF camp. Two Kenyans, Albert Kangor and Gladys Cheruiyot are expected to run in the 21.1km while Sehohle Falavia from South Africa will compete in the women’s half marathon. Local athletes who will be competing include the likes of Godiraone Nthompe, Gaone Bathoen, Sylvester Koko, Sesebo Matlapeng, Mantshapelo Badumetse and Mema Thiango.
BDF Athletics Club Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Major Alfred Phinias said over 1,000 runners have registered for the marathon. “Our routes were marked by certified route markers. Our race routes for the five kilomoetres and 10km will run through the streets of Mogoditshane. The 21.1km route will cover Mogoditshane and Gaborone, Block 5,” he said. Phinias said they managed to reach the target of 1,000 athletes, which is not only an achievement for BDF Athletics Club but a statement that other clubs can host such events. He said in future they intend to register more international athletes.
Phinias said proceeds from the race would be donated to charitable organisations based in Mogoditshane. The winners of the half marathon, both men and women will take home P6,000 while the runners-up get P4,000 while third place finishers will be rewarded with P2,500. For athletes finishing fourth, there is P1,500 cash and P1,000 is reserved for position five.
The winners of the senior men and women category each pocket P3, 000 with runners-up, getting P2,000. There is P1,500 for position three, P1,000 for the fourth position and P500 for the fifth-placed athletes. The junior men and women categories champions get P1,500 with P1,000 for the second spot. Those who finish in position three get P800 with P600 and P400 going to positions four and five respectively.
There is also prize money for veterans, people living with disability, and juniors in people living with disability. The race is sponsored by Minet Botswana, Diacore Botswana, Botswana Tourism Organisation, Bayport, Excavator Hire, Staywell Hotels, Mascom, Impression House, Express Charm Holdings, Khumo Properties, Wusa, Premier Clothing, Earnest Printing, Square Mart, Boitekanelo College, Quinn Investments, ICM, and Fours Cash and Carry.
