Sanlam launches second Coastal Marathon
Sanlam Namibia and Athletics Namibia launched the second Coastal Marathon with a new route, the Swakopmund-Henties Bay route, in Windhoek on Thursday.
The marathon is scheduled for 23 March in Swakopmund.
Speaking during the launch in Windhoek, Hilaria Graig, marketing and communications manager at Sanlam Namibia, said last year there was heavy traffic on the Swakopmund-Walvis Bay route which was unsafe and risky for the participants.
Graig further explained that the marathon aims to promote health and fitness while at the same time creating a platform for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to exercise their craft.
The marathon gives athletes an opportunity to have a competition in the first quarter of the year, as currently events of such nature are scarce during this period.
“After a very successful inaugural marathon last year, we are excited to bring back the Sanlam Coastal Marathon which we promise will be bigger and better than last year's event,” Graig said. This year the marathon will have four categories.
“The categories are the five-kilometre fun walk or run and the 10-kilometre, 21-kilometre and 42.2-kilometre events. The winners of the marathon in the 42.2 km race will not only receive N$15 000, but are also guaranteed automatic, all-expenses-paid participation in the International Association of Athletics Federations Gold Label Status Sanlam Cape Town Marathon taking place in September,” Graig said.
IAAF Road Race Label events are races that the IAAF designates as one of the “leading road races around the world”.
Gold labels have the strictest requirements, including that the race distance must be certified by the association or by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.
Speaking at the same event, Athletics Namibia president Erwin Naimhwaka acknowledged Sanlam's contribution and the role it plays in athletics for Namibia.
“It's an additional platform for our athletes to sharpen their skills and this year is the golden year for us because of the world championship and next year is the year of Olympics,” he said.
He added that he hopes this event can grow to be a qualifying event, similar to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
-NAMPA
The marathon is scheduled for 23 March in Swakopmund.
Speaking during the launch in Windhoek, Hilaria Graig, marketing and communications manager at Sanlam Namibia, said last year there was heavy traffic on the Swakopmund-Walvis Bay route which was unsafe and risky for the participants.
Graig further explained that the marathon aims to promote health and fitness while at the same time creating a platform for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to exercise their craft.
The marathon gives athletes an opportunity to have a competition in the first quarter of the year, as currently events of such nature are scarce during this period.
“After a very successful inaugural marathon last year, we are excited to bring back the Sanlam Coastal Marathon which we promise will be bigger and better than last year's event,” Graig said. This year the marathon will have four categories.
“The categories are the five-kilometre fun walk or run and the 10-kilometre, 21-kilometre and 42.2-kilometre events. The winners of the marathon in the 42.2 km race will not only receive N$15 000, but are also guaranteed automatic, all-expenses-paid participation in the International Association of Athletics Federations Gold Label Status Sanlam Cape Town Marathon taking place in September,” Graig said.
IAAF Road Race Label events are races that the IAAF designates as one of the “leading road races around the world”.
Gold labels have the strictest requirements, including that the race distance must be certified by the association or by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.
Speaking at the same event, Athletics Namibia president Erwin Naimhwaka acknowledged Sanlam's contribution and the role it plays in athletics for Namibia.
“It's an additional platform for our athletes to sharpen their skills and this year is the golden year for us because of the world championship and next year is the year of Olympics,” he said.
He added that he hopes this event can grow to be a qualifying event, similar to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
-NAMPA
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article