Haitope wins Spar Women Challenge with 1 500 turnout
Road running
Proceeds from the event go to charities assisting women and children.
The third edition of the Spar Namibia Women’s Challenge, hosted in collaboration with the sports ministry, saw Nampol Club’s Lavinia Haitope crowned overall winner in the 10km race on Saturday.
Hosted at Windhoek’s Wanderers Sports Grounds, the event aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence and support charities assisting women and children. Participants unable to attend in Windhoek had the option to join the race virtually from any Spar store nationwide.
Haitope claimed victory with a personal-best time of 33 minutes and 50.25 seconds. Speaking to Sport Wrap, she said: “I signed up for the race as preparation for upcoming marathons I plan to compete in.”
She finished ahead of veteran road-runner Alina Armas, who recorded 34 minutes and 31.08 seconds. Hot on Armas’ heels was German 5km road-runner Svenja Pingpank, who clocked 34 minutes and 38.48 seconds.
Other winners
Other categories included the juniors (15 to 19 years), where 15-year-old Carli van Aswegen reigned supreme with a time of 47 minutes and 15.83 seconds, ahead of Nicole Groenewald (17) in 53 minutes and 59.29 seconds, and Yanke Botes (17) in 59 minutes and 14.65 seconds.
In the 40 to 49 years veteran category, Alina Armas secured victory ahead of Ottilie Kaunapawa Aimwata (37 minutes and 19.83 seconds), while Anna Amutoko finished third in 39 minutes and 45.43 seconds.
The 50 to 59 years master category was won by Emilia Katekene Nambahu in 50 minutes and 4.98 seconds, followed by Heidrun Koen (54:20.97) and Elizabeth Shino (55:48.92).
In the over-60 grandmaster category, Ann Swarts recorded a winning time of 58 minutes and 37.60 seconds. Christine Mitchell placed second with 1 hour, 10 minutes and 7.26 seconds, while Margaret du Plessis finished third in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 9.18 seconds.
‘There will be a fourth edition’
Speaking at the event, director of sport development Jo-Ann Manuel highlighted the race’s strong turnout of over 1 500 participants.
“It is a great turnout. As the ministry and directorate of sport, we want to thank everyone who participated, both physically and virtually, and made this 2025 ladies’ race a success. Sports events will not be successful if participants don’t show up,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Spar Group Namibia’s regional manager, Eugene van Wyngaard, and the entire Spar team for their sponsorship of the event.
“Sports is not just about sponsorship - we also need partners who create opportunities for events like these, especially for those who love running and walking. As the government, we thank Spar for their commitment and for making this event possible for the third year. I believe many more editions will follow,” she said.
Highlighting the race’s origins in South Africa, Manuel emphasised the goal of integrating the Spar Namibia Women’s Challenge into the South African Spar Race series.
“To become part of the South African Spar races and attract international runners, we need to increase participation to at least 3 000 to 5 000 runners. Currently, we are at 1 500. If we work harder, we can reach that target,” she urged.
“It can be done. So let’s go out there, spread the word and campaign. I am sure there will be a fourth race, and for that, let’s aim for over 2 000 participants.”
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Hosted at Windhoek’s Wanderers Sports Grounds, the event aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence and support charities assisting women and children. Participants unable to attend in Windhoek had the option to join the race virtually from any Spar store nationwide.
Haitope claimed victory with a personal-best time of 33 minutes and 50.25 seconds. Speaking to Sport Wrap, she said: “I signed up for the race as preparation for upcoming marathons I plan to compete in.”
She finished ahead of veteran road-runner Alina Armas, who recorded 34 minutes and 31.08 seconds. Hot on Armas’ heels was German 5km road-runner Svenja Pingpank, who clocked 34 minutes and 38.48 seconds.
Other winners
Other categories included the juniors (15 to 19 years), where 15-year-old Carli van Aswegen reigned supreme with a time of 47 minutes and 15.83 seconds, ahead of Nicole Groenewald (17) in 53 minutes and 59.29 seconds, and Yanke Botes (17) in 59 minutes and 14.65 seconds.
In the 40 to 49 years veteran category, Alina Armas secured victory ahead of Ottilie Kaunapawa Aimwata (37 minutes and 19.83 seconds), while Anna Amutoko finished third in 39 minutes and 45.43 seconds.
The 50 to 59 years master category was won by Emilia Katekene Nambahu in 50 minutes and 4.98 seconds, followed by Heidrun Koen (54:20.97) and Elizabeth Shino (55:48.92).
In the over-60 grandmaster category, Ann Swarts recorded a winning time of 58 minutes and 37.60 seconds. Christine Mitchell placed second with 1 hour, 10 minutes and 7.26 seconds, while Margaret du Plessis finished third in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 9.18 seconds.
‘There will be a fourth edition’
Speaking at the event, director of sport development Jo-Ann Manuel highlighted the race’s strong turnout of over 1 500 participants.
“It is a great turnout. As the ministry and directorate of sport, we want to thank everyone who participated, both physically and virtually, and made this 2025 ladies’ race a success. Sports events will not be successful if participants don’t show up,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Spar Group Namibia’s regional manager, Eugene van Wyngaard, and the entire Spar team for their sponsorship of the event.
“Sports is not just about sponsorship - we also need partners who create opportunities for events like these, especially for those who love running and walking. As the government, we thank Spar for their commitment and for making this event possible for the third year. I believe many more editions will follow,” she said.
Highlighting the race’s origins in South Africa, Manuel emphasised the goal of integrating the Spar Namibia Women’s Challenge into the South African Spar Race series.
“To become part of the South African Spar races and attract international runners, we need to increase participation to at least 3 000 to 5 000 runners. Currently, we are at 1 500. If we work harder, we can reach that target,” she urged.
“It can be done. So let’s go out there, spread the word and campaign. I am sure there will be a fourth race, and for that, let’s aim for over 2 000 participants.”
- [email protected]
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