Fifth edition of Navachab marathon launched

WINDHOEK, 25 JUL  – The fifth edition of the Navachab Half Marathon Challenge Run was launched here in the capital on Tuesday with a new fun category introduced to the event.
The half marathon will take place for the fifth consecutive year in and around the rocky town of Karibib on 15 September 2018.
At the launch, Berthold Karumendu, Regional Sports Officer for the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service said the race continues to grow in popularity and they are expecting over 500 athletes to participate this year.
He said Navachab Gold Mine would again be the main sponsor, while other sponsors include First National Bank Namibia’s Karibib branch, the Karibib Town Council, Namagra, Desert Line Energy and Coca-Cola which will contribute soft drinks.
“This year we have N.dollars 80 000 worth of sponsorship that will be used for the event. The only category that will not be getting money is the five-kilometre run or walk as it will be a fun event for those competing in it,” Karumendu said.
At last year’s event, the senior men’s race was dominated by South African runners who took the top three places and setting a new record along the way. Joel Mmone from North West Province came first in a time of one hour, three minutes and one second (1:03:01), while in the female category, Namibia’s Lavinia Haitope won clocking 1:14.01.
Karumendu said this year’s race will see the main male and female categories walk away with a minimum of N.dollars 5 000 each.
(NAMPA)