The much-anticipated Navachab Half Marathon, which is slated for this weekend in the town of Karibib, will see the various top winners walking away with improved prizes.
For this year, the two winners of the men and women’s senior categories will each pocket N$7 000, which marks a N$2 000 increment from the last edition.
The runners-up are guaranteed to take home N$5 000 and N$3 000 for third-place finishers.
The event will also consist of junior, veteran and master categories as well as a 5km fun walk, and it will equally see the winners of those categories walk away with great prizes.
Speaking at yesterday’s press conference, the event’s lead organiser Berthold Karumendu said they plan to make the event much bigger and better for the participants and the community through improved prizes and greater organisation of the event itself in general.
“This year, we are rewarding every single category, as we plan not to leave anyone out this time around. Not only the top two categories in the senior division will be rewarded, but all winners in each of the categories will receive something. This, I strongly believe, will encourage more participants to come out and showcase their talents,” said Karumendu.
“Most of the elite athletes are going out of the country to compete in top events elsewhere. It is because they get rewarded more on that side when compared to local events. So, we want to slowly but surely change that situation. We also want to change the narrative and have international athletes from across the continent come to Namibia and compete in our events.”
Also speaking at the same event, McLyn Kasale from Navachab Gold Mine said they are proud to be associated with the event, and they expect the town of Karibib to host yet another successful marathon this weekend.
“We are ready, and this will be the best event yet. We are, therefore, encouraging participants to come in huge numbers and register for the race. We are expecting this to be our biggest event yet after missing out two years due to Covid-19,” he said.
The veteran, junior men and junior women winners will each receive N$5 000, while second and third places will be awarded N$3 000 and N$2 000.
The masters’ male and female winners will get N$3 000 each.
The Navachab employees who will participate and come first in the men and women’s categories will get N$1 000.
Learners who are winners will each get N$500.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na