- Local businesses to get a boost from marathon
- Registration for marathon closed
As has been the case in its previous editions, this year’s Orange Phikwe National Marathon will attract runners from all corners of the world, Orange Botswana’s Sponsorship Coordinator, Segomotso Kgwatalala, has told The Business Weekly Sports.
Preparations for the marathon, which is scheduled to take place on 23 July at the Selibe-Phikwe Council Stadium, and according to Kgwatalala, are still underway and are going well. “We kicked off the marathon by rallying all the relevant stakeholders together so that everyone could play their part in delivering a successful marathon,” she said in response to questions from this publication. “We also addressed a press conference in Selebi-Phikwe on the 22nd of April 2022, and then we began a series of activations held in Gaborone and Selebi-Phikwe, with the last batch of activations still to be held at Selebi-Phikwe in the week of the marathon.”
Kgwatalala said registrations for the marathon have officially closed but the portals are still open for those who have started and not completed their registration process. “The routes have been marked and will be shared in due course,” she said. “Registered runners can rest assured that this year’s marathon experience will be worthwhile. The Orange Phikwe National Marathon has a reputation of bringing runners all over the world and this year’s registrations are no exception. We are expecting runners from all corners of the world.”
Asked how the marathon will benefit the people of Selibe-Phikwe and surrounding areas, Kgwatalala responded: “Selibe-Phikwe is a town that is close to our hearts. Through the Orange Phikwe National Marathon, we help realise meaningful and tangible community development. “Through this asset we are able to nurture and cultivate sporting talent. This event is also an opportunity to revive the town. Local businesses will get a boost in bookings in terms of lodging and catering services. Priority has indeed been given to the locals for stalls on the day of the marathon.”
Winners of the marathon (42.2km) from both categories (men and women) will pocket P25 000 each. The last edition of the marathon, which was held in 2019, saw local long distance sensation Rapula Diphoko becoming the second local athlete to claim the 42.2km of the Orange Phikwe National Marathon since the race was adopted by the mobile network company in 2016. The women’s category was won by Monicah Jepkokir in 3:03:34.
