Organisers of the Makgadikgadi International Marathon have promised the second edition to be bigger and better come August 23, 2025. This year’s goal is to attract 8 000 runners, both professional and fun runners from Botswana and within the African region.
“The uniqueness of this marathon is that it mixes athletics and tourism, because runners will be running on gravel and transversing the Makgadikgadi pans. The route is within the Nata Bird Sanctuary, which will enable runners to also appreciate nature and explore the beauty of the pans,” outlined Mmoloki Bopa, Chief Communications Officer of the marathon during a pressing briefing recently.
The marathon is divided into four categories being 42km, 21km, 10 and five km fun run with the first four winners for every category clinching prize money. Although the marathon does not qualify runners to any renowned international marathons overseas, Bopa said the event’s main aim is to unearth raw talent within Nata and surrounding villages.
“The marathon is meant to inject life into Nata, make the village known and put this gate way to the country’s pristine tourism destinations on the world platform. It is also meant to preserve our wetlands, bird species, promote sports tourism and create economic value for this region”, pointed the Chief Communications Officer.
Bopa said though last year was very dry and arid, this time around however the landscape is different, with a vast expanse of water, green vegetation and teeming birdlife.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Makgadikgadi International Marathon, Kao Mokoka said though the inaugural marathon faced teething problems it however managed to attract sponsors and over 560 runners.
“We had runners from as far as Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe and plenty from Botswana. Last year we had several sponsors such as Botash, Botswana Tourism Organisation, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, as well as the Gambling Authority,” said Mokoka in appreciation.
He urged the business community and individuals to collaborate with them in this year’s edition to ensure that the marathon has a return on investment and benefits residents of Nata and its environs.
“This marathon is on the Botswana Athletics Association’s calendar and is recognised by the association. To attract as many runners as possible, we have invited several running clubs across the country, and working hand in hand with Sua Pan Athletics Club. In due time we are looking at having this sporting event as a qualifier but for now we are a budding marathon,” said Mokoka.
