Maqonda Ndlovu
Omaruru’s finest, David Dam of the Namibia Correctional Services (NSC), gave his hometown fans something to cheer about as he strolled to victory in the 10th edition of the Erongo Powersave Street Mile held on Saturday.
The 25-year-old hometown native dominated the race from start to finish, clocking 04:15.02 seconds ahead of second-placed seasoned marathon runner Rainhold Tomas of NSC, who clocked 04:16.04.
Dam, who is currently undergoing training at the NCS, was at his best. He dominated the 1.6-kilometre race so much that he resorted to showboating over the last 200 metres as his opponents huffed and puffed in an effort to catch him.
Tomas was followed by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF)’s Wilhelm Hangula in third place after clocking 04:16.08.
In the women’s event, NSC’s Martha Shivolo continued with her rich vein of form as she once again produced a stunning finish to defeat veteran marathon runner Alina Armas of Nampol for the third successive race this year.
Shivolo clocked 04:55.06 seconds, while Armas came home second with a time of 04:58.04 seconds. Beata Jeremia of Nampol, who clocked 04:59.6 seconds, placed third.
In the junior women’s race, upcoming long-distance talent Frans Nyanyukweni of the Omusati region comfortably won the race in a time of 05:06.01, setting a new course record for the u-21’s in the event.
The previous record was 05:13:02 seconds.
Nyanyukweni ran the event twice. This time around, she challenged the elite women, and managed to come out a respectable sixth after clocking 05:11.01 seconds in the sweltering heat of Omaruru.
Oshana’s Sara Shikongo was second in a time of 05:09.02 seconds, followed by Antoa Matilde of Omusati, who clocked 05:21.01 seconds in third.
In the junior men’s category, Chiko Pawo of the Oshikoto region came in first with a time of 04:30.04, followed by Omusati’s Penopitho Shikongo, who ran 04:34.08 in second, and Mavaipo Kariko of Omaheke (04:36.09) in third.
The Orapa Athletics Club of Botswana, whose athletes found the going tough against the locals, also graced the event, which attracted over 1,400 athletes from all over Namibia.
For their efforts, Dam and Shivolo walked away with N$7 000 in cash, while Nyanyukweni and Pawo earned N$5 000.
Speaking after the event, organiser Bethold Karumendu said despite the challenges faced in putting together an event of such magnitude, he was happy with the attendance of supporters, athletes and sponsors.
“It took a lot of planning and preparation, but we were able to present a solid event. We had a lot of youngsters, as this event is all about mass participation. I am happy with the attendance; there is a lot of work in terms of improving the event,” he noted.
Karumendu said the event would not have been possible without sponsors such as Erongo Powersave, FNB Namibia, and the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
He added that they are looking at ways to bring in new innovations to make the race attractive, while also looking at ways of attracting more international athletes.