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Albert Papama
Albert Papama

Grand master has hopes for 21 km in Swakop

Road running
The grand master road runner Albert Papama from Windhoek count among those die-hards who has long ago lost count of how many full marathons they have completed, not to mention races of any other distance.

And he’ll probably never stop running during his lifetime, he says.

However, he is in need of some financial backing ahead of this coming Saturday’s Rössing Marathon, where he intends to run the 21 km race.

Papama turned 60 on 22 September last year. He is about two years older than a former running mate Luketz Swartbooi, who during the golden era in the 1990s set Namibian records over every distance from 5000 metres up to marathon – most of which has stood the test of time until the more recent appearance of 28-year-old prodigy Daniel Paulus.

He also completed the one Comrades ultra-marathon of 89 km he took on in 2017, finishing the “down” race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in 10 hours 25 minutes.

Papama, who previously ran for Windhoek Harriers and before that the Rössing running club, now represents Gobabis Front Runners.

Papama says he is in need of running shoes, running gear or assistance in travelling to the coast. He is open to compete in the clothing of any potential sponsors. He can be reached at 081 384 4861.



This Saturday

The Rössing Marathon Championship, Namibia's premier road running event, returns to the coastal town of Swakopmund on 8 March – with approximately 3 000 runners expected, as well as 500 participants in the 5 km fun walk.

The tennis courts parking area in Strand Street will be the start and finish of the event.

Featuring a 42 km marathon, the 21 km Frank Slabbert half-marathon, and a 10 km run, this highly anticipated event has seen its entries double in 2024, highlighting its growing popularity.

Organized by Rössing Uranium in partnership with running club Swakop Striders, the event continues to promote health, community engagement, and a platform for athletes to excel.

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-05

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