The Diacore Gaborone Marathon is a marathon in Gaborone, Botswana. The marathon is governed by the International Association of Athletics Federations and the Botswana Athletics Association.[2] It is open for to ages 19 and up,[2] and the race is a qualifier for the Comrades Marathon in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London.[2] The marathon is the second of its kind in Botswana, after the Bosele Marathon in Selebi-Phikwe.[3]

Gaborone Marathon
DateEarly May
LocationGaborone, Botswana
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon, Half marathon, 10K run
Primary sponsorDiacore
Beneficiary[1]
EstablishedApril 2009
Course recordsMen's: 2:15:25 (2013)
Kenya Luka Chelimo
Women's: 2:39:31 (2013)
Kenya Peris Kiprono
Official siteGaborone Marathon
Participants278 (2019)

History

edit

The marathon was first established as the Gaborone City Marathon in 2009 and was first run on 18 April 2010. The 2011 race was cancelled due to financial issues.[4] In 2012, Steinmetz Diamonds became the official sponsor of the marathon and renamed the marathon.[1]

The 2020 edition of the race was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.[5]

Route

edit

The 42.2-kilometre (26.2 mi) race begins at 6:15am and ends at the Phakalane Golf Estate several miles northeast of Gaborone.[6] The race moves along the A1 highway towards the city center before turning northwest towards the Steinmetz building. The route then travels south towards the Gaborone Central Business District, passing the SADC headquarters and the Orapa House. The track then moves northward towards the Gaborone Private Hospital before rejoining the A1 highway. The marathon retraces its steps back towards the Phakalane Golf Estate where the marathon ends.[7] Water is provided every 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi).[2] The race starts at 970 metres (3,180 ft) above sea level and has a maximum elevation of 1,025 metres (3,363 ft) above sea level.[6]

Fun Run

edit

There is also a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) race open for ages 12 and up and a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) race open to all. These routes are entirely within the Phakalane Golf Estate.[7]

Categories

edit

The 42.2K race is divided by gender. Each gender race is divided into three categories based on age: open, veterans, and masters. Veterans are runners between 40 and 49 years of age, and Masters are runners older than 50. The 10K marathon is also divided into categories based on age and gender: open, juniors, veterans, and masters. This race is open to anyone older than 12.[2]

Results

edit

The male and female winner of the marathon receives 25,000 Botswana pula (US$3,325 at the time of the 2012 race), second place receives P15,000, third receives P10,000, and fourth receives P5,000.[1] The fastest male and female Botswana citizen will receive P10,000 from BIHL Insurance Company.[1]

The top three runners, Felix Kipkoror, Benjamin Kipro Serem, and Jobo Khatoane, in the 2012 race qualified for the 2012 Olympic Marathon.[8]

Winners of the Marathon Race [9][10]
Year Men's winner Time Women's winner Time
2010   Simon Njoroge (KEN) 2:15:40   Samukeliso Moyo (ZIM) 2:50:27
2012   Felix Kangogo (KEN) 2:16:25   Samukeliso Moyo (ZIM) 2:48:29
2013   Luka Chelimo (KEN) 2:15:25   Peris Kiprono (KEN) 2:39:31
2014   Masilo Matjiane (LES) 2:15:37   Leena Ekandjo (NAM) 2:40:39
2015   Gilbert Mutandiro (ZIM) 2:17:34   Anna Amutoko (NAM) 2:50:23
2016   Gilbert Mutandiro (ZIM) 2:19:09   Alina Armas (NAM) 2:40:05
2017   Paulus Iiyambo (NAM) 2:18:59   Leena Ekandjo (NAM) 2:45:29
2018   Sibusiso Nzima (RSA) 2:16:57   Olivia Chitate (ZIM) 2:51:35
2019   Ramolefi Motsieloa (LES) 2:16:44   Lavinia Haitope (NAM) 2:41:02
2022   Munyaradzi Jari (ZIM) 2:16:10   Ottilie Aimwata (NAM) 3:01:56
2023   Jeremia Shaliaxwe (NAM) 2:19:29   Sheila Saina (KEN) 2:44:18
2024   Andrew Kiprop (KEN) 2:24:18   Sheila Saina (KEN) 3:15:06

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Press Release" (PDF). Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e "General Information" (PDF). Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  3. ^ Dube, Mqondisi (24 February 2010). "Gaborone City marathon launched". Mmegi. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  4. ^ Koothupile, Botlhale (5 December 2011). "Gaborone Marathon to make a comeback next year". Sunday Standard. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Diacore Gaborone Marathon Participation | Race Info".
  6. ^ a b "Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon - Race Info". Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Route Map" (PDF). Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  8. ^ Kebadiretse, Frederick (23 April 2012). "Kenyans dominate GC marathon". The Monitor. Phakalane. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  9. ^ "March 2014 AIMS Results". aimsworldrunning.org. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  10. ^ "March 2015 AIMS Results". aimsworldrunning.org. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
edit