Navachab half-marathon back
Navachab half-marathon back

Navachab half-marathon back

Jesse Kauraisa
The sixth edition of the Navachab Half Marathon Challenge Run has been boosted by additional sponsorship, bringing the total value to N$112 000.

Last year, organisers managed to stage the event with N$100 000, but a new sponsor, Namid, has committed N$40 000, while other benefactors have fallen away.

The annual event will take place this Saturday at Karibib, with over 500 participants expected.

Navachab Gold Mine has committed N$45 000 towards the event, while the Karibib town council has pledged N$12 000.

The gold mine's managing director George Botshiwe emphasised the importance of the event and what it brings to Karibib.

“The half-marathon is now in its sixth edition, but it is my first time as managing director, but my third as a participant.

“My prayer is that through events such as these, we can inspire those in the community we operate in to develop an interest in sport.

“When 500 likeminded, yet competitive, athletes gather in small towns such as Karibib and Usakos to compete in this half-marathon, something beyond competition happens,” Botshiwe said.

Other sponsorships include N$10 000 from the town's FNB branch and N$5 000 from Namagra.

Desert Lion Energy, which committed N$5 000 last year, as well as OK Foods, which committed N$5 000 last year, will not be sponsoring the event this year.

Sasol and Coca-Cola have also decided to withdraw from this year's event, due to the economic crisis.

This will, however, not deter the organisers from staging a bigger and better event. The sports ministry has once again offered free transport for all the participants.

The main race of the day will be the senior men and women's category, which will be over 21 kilometres.

The winners of the senior 21km races will walk away with N$7 000 each, while the junior race winners will receive N$2 000 each.

The male and female winners of the fun race over 5km will receive N$1 000 each.

The junior winners will be compensated with N$500 for their efforts.

The category for Navachab employees will see the male and female winners taking home N$1 000 each.

Erongo sports officer Berthold Karumendu announced that the route is accredited by the IAAF.

Registered athletes are required to pay an entry fee of N$40, while non-registered senior athletes will pay a N$50 fee towards the competition. The races start at 07:30.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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