Rössing Marathon thrills coast
Saturday's 2019 Rössing Marathon once again set the coast alight with some stunning performances and loads of fun.
Adolf Kaure
The 2019 edition of the Rössing Marathon took place on Saturday in Swakopmund and delivered some memorable performances.
The event, which was held under the theme 'My health, my right', had various running categories for different age groups.
These categories included the 42km full marathon, 21km half-marathon, 10km fun run and 5km fun walk.
The men's full marathon was won by Zambian national Mathews Matanyu, who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:21:49. Matanyu, who defended the title he won last year, beat Namibian Kefas Kondjashili, who finished the race in a time of 2:22:55.
Jesaja Matheus finished the men's full marathon in third place, in a time of 2:23:30, to earn himself a place on the podium.
The women's full marathon was comfortably won by Beata Naigambo with an impressive time of 2:43:21, ahead of compatriot Leena Ekandjo, who finished the race in a time of 3:02:56. It was the second year in a row that Ekandjo was denied, as she also finished last year's race in second place. Ekandjo's efforts were, however, good enough to fend of rival Ottilie Almwaro (3:03:21), who finished her race in third place.
Matanyu and Naigambo each walked away with N$10 000 in prize money. Second-placed Kondjashili and Ekandjo both received N$5 000, while Jesaya Matheus and Ottilie Almwaro received N$3 000 for their third-place finishes.
The start and finishing points of the Rössing Marathon moved to the Pro-Ed Akademie sports fields in Ocean View this year.
Runners started at the sports field and ran out onto the Henties Bay road, as in previous years.
During his keynote speech, acting managing director of Rössing Uranium, Shaan van Schalkwyk, said the main aim of the Rössing Marathon is to associate Rössing Uranium with the promotion of healthy lifestyles in the mine's neighbouring communities, “whilst at the same time fostering health, safety and teamwork exchanges among participants”.
“Over its 43 years of working for Namibia, Rössing Uranium has always strived and will continue to strive to create positive social impacts where we operate; helping to improve health and wellbeing, living standards and education in our communities,” said Van Schalkwyk.
He added that the marathon's partner, Swakop Striders, would receive the entry fees of the main running events as a donation to help local athletes further their sporting careers.
The 5km fun walk included an exciting competition for most original costume, funniest hat, youngest walker (excluding toddlers in prams and pets), oldest walker, tallest walker and cutest pet walker.
Invited uranium companies in the region also competed in a 10km uranium relay event, which was aimed at building friendships among the industry's employees.
The proceeds collected from the entries and donations for the 5km fun walk and the 10km uranium relay event for invited uranium companies will go to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).
The 2019 edition of the Rössing Marathon took place on Saturday in Swakopmund and delivered some memorable performances.
The event, which was held under the theme 'My health, my right', had various running categories for different age groups.
These categories included the 42km full marathon, 21km half-marathon, 10km fun run and 5km fun walk.
The men's full marathon was won by Zambian national Mathews Matanyu, who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:21:49. Matanyu, who defended the title he won last year, beat Namibian Kefas Kondjashili, who finished the race in a time of 2:22:55.
Jesaja Matheus finished the men's full marathon in third place, in a time of 2:23:30, to earn himself a place on the podium.
The women's full marathon was comfortably won by Beata Naigambo with an impressive time of 2:43:21, ahead of compatriot Leena Ekandjo, who finished the race in a time of 3:02:56. It was the second year in a row that Ekandjo was denied, as she also finished last year's race in second place. Ekandjo's efforts were, however, good enough to fend of rival Ottilie Almwaro (3:03:21), who finished her race in third place.
Matanyu and Naigambo each walked away with N$10 000 in prize money. Second-placed Kondjashili and Ekandjo both received N$5 000, while Jesaya Matheus and Ottilie Almwaro received N$3 000 for their third-place finishes.
The start and finishing points of the Rössing Marathon moved to the Pro-Ed Akademie sports fields in Ocean View this year.
Runners started at the sports field and ran out onto the Henties Bay road, as in previous years.
During his keynote speech, acting managing director of Rössing Uranium, Shaan van Schalkwyk, said the main aim of the Rössing Marathon is to associate Rössing Uranium with the promotion of healthy lifestyles in the mine's neighbouring communities, “whilst at the same time fostering health, safety and teamwork exchanges among participants”.
“Over its 43 years of working for Namibia, Rössing Uranium has always strived and will continue to strive to create positive social impacts where we operate; helping to improve health and wellbeing, living standards and education in our communities,” said Van Schalkwyk.
He added that the marathon's partner, Swakop Striders, would receive the entry fees of the main running events as a donation to help local athletes further their sporting careers.
The 5km fun walk included an exciting competition for most original costume, funniest hat, youngest walker (excluding toddlers in prams and pets), oldest walker, tallest walker and cutest pet walker.
Invited uranium companies in the region also competed in a 10km uranium relay event, which was aimed at building friendships among the industry's employees.
The proceeds collected from the entries and donations for the 5km fun walk and the 10km uranium relay event for invited uranium companies will go to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).
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