Iyambo claims tough Marathon

Posted on Mon, 20 Feb, 2012

National Sport

Author:

Natascha Herboth - Swakopmund

The 21st annual Rössing Marathon, which transpired over the weekend, was scooped by a member of the Namibian Defence Force.

People from as far as Germany and Britain flocked to the Swakopmund Athletics Club for the 21st Rössing Marathon Championship this past Saturday.

With 80 other marathon runners competing, Paulus Iyambo, of the Namibian Defense Force (NDF) still became a first-time champion in the 42.2 kilometre (Km) marathon with a personal best time of 2:23:04.

"It was a special but difficult victory. The wind was a factor today and the competition was very stiff, but I’m very happy to have won the Rössing Marathon for the first time.”

NDF also secured second and third places with Frans Hosea and Simon Shipanga, with times of 02:24:38 and 02:25:21 respectively.

The Marathon Ladies Open winner, for the second time, was Helalia Johannes (02:51:58) followed by Selma Nambadi (03:20:01) and Rachel Akukutela (03:24:55).

Johannes, also from the NDF, already qualified for the 2012 Olympics and will be representing Namibia in London in July.

The popular 10 km run had 156 participants and Swakop Striders athlete, Johannes Skrywer, took home the gold in the Men’s Open category with a time of 00:30:38.

Beata Naigambo took first place in the 10 km Ladies Open with a time of 00:33:04. Naigambo will also represent Namibia at the 2012 Olympics in the marathon category later this year.

The Men's Open and Ladies' Open winners won a cash price of N$10 000 each, as well as the recently introduced Development Bonus worth N$20 000 each in support of the continued development of the athletes’ careers over the remainder of the season in 2012.

A large number of people also took part in the 5 km Charity Fun Walk, and donations totalling N$4500 were collected for the Cancer Association of Namibia.

Participants in the fun walk won prices in various categories, including for the youngest and oldest walker – who were six and 73 years old respectively – as well as the largest group, which went to the West Coast Bikers with 23 participants, and to the shortest walker, which went to a sausage dog (dachshund) walking with her owner.

Main guest speaker at the prize-giving ceremony and participant in the 5 km fun-run was the Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Pohamba Shifeta.

“Sport unites people; it creates bridges and is a common denominator. Government is actively involved in supporting local athletes and our ministry also appreciates the work the athletics clubs are doing to create platforms for athletes to perform and grow.”

Rössing’s Managing Director, Chris Salisbury, said that the Rössing Marathon is now considered one of the must-do long distance events for Namibian long distance runners, with international interest in the event also on the rise.

“I am also proud to announce that we are committed to continue our sponsorship of this important event on the Namibian athletics calendar, and plan to do it for the 22nd time next year.”