25 Oct 2022

The inaugural Run Maun marathon is set to be the most thrilling event ever staged in the tourism destination village with up to 502 runners participating.

Participants will,  on Saturday, compete in the 42.2km race, 21km, 10km as well as the 5km fun run. 

The marathon will start from Maun Sport Complex at 5am.

In an interview, Botswana Tertiary Students Sport Association (BOTESSA) president, also chief organiser, Keorapetse Setlhare said of the 502 runners, seven were from South Africa. He said all ground work had been done with final touches expected to be completed tomorrow. He said shorter routes would be from Maun Sport Complex around Thito, Kgosing, Tawana Landboard, Ngami Totoya and back to sport complex. 

Longer routes would traverse as far as Maun New Mall, airport, Sedie, Matlapana roundabout, Engen traffic lights and Caltex traffic lights, Maun Lodge and back to the sport complex.

“Routes have been made available on our social media platforms for over a month now. The markings will be done on Thursday so that they are visible to athletes and other road users,” Setlhare said

Again, he said, organisers had identified water and route marshals who would be guiding runners so that they would not get lost given that some would be in Maun for the first time.

He added that they would also provide water since Maun was currently experiencing high temperatures.

“Water will be abundant in every corner and we advise athletes to take as much water as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Setlhare regretted failure to secure a main sponsor for the marathon.

“We are confident that we shall attract sponsors in future. This year, it was difficult as many companies want to see first what we can do then they can come on board,” he said.

Furthermore, he indicated that they had been working closely with the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) for guidance to stage a professional marathon.

In other issues, he said Protime Sport had offered its timing equipment and he thanked the company for the support.

He also indicated that the National Anti-Doping Office would be part of the marathon to test and educate athletes on doping, adding ‘all winners would undergo a compulsory test upon finishing the race.’

Runners are encouraged to collect their race fit at Maun Sport Complex this week to avoid any inconveniences on the day of the marathon. Ends