Whether this will be your first marathon, or one of the many, whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, this will prove be the best marathon you have to experience.
About Ipuso Marathon
The Ipuso ultra-marathon, is a 160 kilometre long run between Mahikeng, the pre- independence administrative centre of the protectorate through Lobatse ,the pre-independence host of the Legislative Council and the post-independence capital city of Gaborone. This will take place annually during the President’s holiday in July. The start and finish point will alternate between the two places annually.
What is a marathon?
The event is named after the legendary 26-mile run made by a Greek soldier from the scene of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he announced the defeat of the invading Persians.
The origin of marathon begins around 490 BC at the time when the Persians were invading Greece. The most famous legend tells of a Greek messenger: Pheidippides who was tasked with the mission of informing the peoples of Athens that the Greeks have defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. Pheidippides who viewed the mission as important set off on foot and ran non-stop. Upon reaching the gates of Athens, he stormed into the government assembly and proclaimed the Greek victory where he fell to the ground and died after that due to exhaustion.
A marathon symbolizes a herald running, bearing glad tidings of victory. Ipuso Marathon encapsulates Botswana’s spirit of resilience and determination to rule herself. This road to independence is paved with the blood of sweat of Batswana who defeated the marauding parties of enemy armies among others the Ndebeles, Kololo and the Boers. The three Batswana chiefs who sort protectorate status from Great Britain in 1895 outsmarted Cecil John Rhodes who wanted to annex their territory to be part of the British South Africa Company.
Although running a marathon is tough, especially for beginners, there is an attraction that draws crowds to marathons and there seems to be the rage these days for people to enter marathons. Reasons differ for every individual why they choose to run in marathons and among others are:
To test of one’s own endurance
To raise awareness and support causes
Healthy lifestyle and to keep running fit so long we can still run
It’s not a race with anyone but it’s your own race against your own clock
Run free and let go of stress
Friendships and camaraderie are bonded. Support and encouragement during the runs
The tremendous fun and dynamics at the event and participants bursting with energy during the run.
To get a Been there, done that and got a t-shirt experience eg. the race shirt, the finisher shirt, medals, goodie bags, etc
Is a place of historical significance having been:
• where the Constitutional Talks for Botswana's independence were held.
• only for a few kilometres from the aerodrome to the High Court building.
• for Machel, Keitseng House where the ANC held its conference which is memorial for having welcomed freedom fighters from neighbouring countries
• signifies race to test mental strength of entrants and improve general mental health.
• therefore the Beef capital of Botswana, and Headquarters of Botswana Geological Surveys(Botswana Geoscience Institute) which has been instrumental in the exploration of minerals which have been significant in the development of the country. The beef and the mining sectors have played a significant role in the development of the country post-independence.
Independent Botswana had to have its capital within its borders. A decision was made to relocate the administrative headquarters which were situated at the Imperial Reserve in Mahikeng to
The Bechuanaland Protectorate administrative headquarters were situated at the Imperial Reserve in Mahikeng now in North West Province of South Africa until 1965 when the capital was moved to Gaborone. There are still a number of historical artifacts kept at the museum in Mafikeng. Sechele's cannon is still kept at the museum. Sechele had used it to defeat the Boers in 1852 at the battle of Dimawe.
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