The sponsors and organisers of the Orange Phikwe Marathon promise to up the ante with elite competition all designed to improve on the mistakes of the past and deliver a marathon which meets prescribed international standards.
According to Orange Public Relations Officer, Carol Kgafela, the Gaborone Striders have heeded their call to participate in the annual marathon and to work with the organising committee as technical advisers to ensure that a top notch marathon is delivered in Phikwe this year.
“We have received various feedbacks from past participants of the marathon and would like to take this opportunity to reassure everyone that we are working hard and tirelessly to deliver a top notch event this year. As one of the oldest and experienced running clubs in Gaborone, we have roped in the Gaborone Striders as technical advisers, and we are both committed to working together to right the wrongs of the past and make the OPM one of the best marathons in the country,” explained Kgafela.
Striders is a social club that has been running in local and international marathons. The 25th edition of the marathon is scheduled for August 11th, 2018 where 1200 participants are expected to participate in the event. Last year there were only 800 participants.
The Gaborone Striders Running and Orange Running Club this past weekend were in Lentsweletau in preparation for the coming marathon. The two teams, with over 60 participants, engaged in the 30km, 20km and 10km runs in their effort to keep fit ahead of the major competition.
The weekend warm-up runs were considered a success and was seen as a good indicator of positive interest in the Phikwe Marathon. Registration for the marathon is on-going and this year’s marathon will feature the usual 4km fun race; 10 km; 15 km and 42.2 km races and interested runners can register on the following website:
https://goo.gl/forms/zYceBUPBFxVdeoa02.
“We are aware that the Phikwe Stadium is currently undergoing renovations, but we have received confirmation from the City Council that the stadium will be ready in time for the marathon,” said Kgafela.