SHALIAXWE, ARMAS WIN SANLAM COASTAL MARATHON

Alina Armas and Jeremia Shaliaxwe emerged as the winners of the third edition of the Sanlam coastal marathon in Swakopmund on Saturday.

More than 700 runners pitched for the event, which also had a five-kilometre fun run.

Sanlam, in collaboration with the Operi and Sydney Foundation, also collected running shoes for runners who are not able to afford them and all proceeds from the marathon will go to a visually impaired organisation under the Sanlam 'vision for change' corporate social responsibility project.

Armas, who used the marathon as preparation for the the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon scheduled for 14 and 15 October, said she had a fantastic race.

“The weather was amazing. Everything went well from the beginning to the end. I honestly have no complaints."

Shaliaxwe described the race as very challenging.

“It was a great but challenging experience. It was a bit windy when we took off but conditions improved on the way back. I was behind Tomas Rainhold who was leading the pack, until the last 18 km mark. I decided to make my move and passed him.”

Prizes

The two champions each pocketed N$15 000 and an all-expenses paid trip to the Cape Town Sanlam Marathon for their efforts. The second-place winners received N$7 000 while those who earned the third place spots received N$5 000.

The winners of the 21 km (half marathon) category won N$5 000, and the runners in second and third place got N$3 000 and N$2 000 respectively.

In the 10 km race, the prizes ranged from N$5 000 to N$3 000 and N$2 000.

Hectic hype and vibe

Sanlam Namibia's marketing and communications manager, Laurencia Prinzonsky, said the event had a hectic hype and vibe to it. “One of Sanlam’s focus areas is health and it was really nice to host an event after three years of Covid-19. We are focused on gaining back that health and momentum, not only limited to physical health, but mental health as well, in addition to unearthing athletic talent in Namibia.”

Results

Shaliaxwe (2:16, 22) clinched first place in the 42km marathon men's division. He was followed by Tomas (2:24, 01) in second place and Paulus Iiyambo (2:28, 56) in third place. Armas (2:39, 43) won first place in the female division. She was followed by Beata Naighambo (2:46, 37) in second place and Anna Amutko (2:50, 12) in third place.

Kefas Kondjashili (3:10) clinched first place in the 21km half marathon open men's division. He was followed by Ndahangwanasho Kornelius Nghilyeendele (3:11) in second place and Simon Nakale (3:13) in third place. Lavinia Haitope Ndatyooli (1:15, 37) won first place in the female division. She was followed by Leena Ekandjo in second and Arina Lensing in third place.

Thomas Shigwedha (31:10) clinched first place in the 10 km master men's division. Matias Simon followed in second and Megameno Mateus in third place.