The inaugural Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge, held in Lüderitz from 2 to 3 May, was a resounding success. 

The event, organised by the Powerhouse Cycling Club, attracted enthusiastic participants and showcased the unique landscape of Lüderitz. 

In unofficial results, Joris Harteveld won the 100-kilometre (km) challenge. Petrus Hango finished second, and Simon Kaita took third place. Wilbert Shoopala won the 50-kilometre road cycle race, followed by Karl-Nikolai Lisse in second and Lukas Lukas in third. 

In addition to the cycling events, Powerhouse hosted its first-ever running event, which included 5 km, 10km and 21km races. 

Geros Koper won the half-marathon (21km), and was followed in second by Jerry Kale and Ferdinand Moses in third. 

In the women’s category, Abby Burgess took first place, Annaloice Penduka secondand Paulina Mbundu bagged third place. 

Cyclists praised the organisers for their exceptional effort in hosting the first-ever race in Lüderitz. The town’s distinctive terrain and strong winds added to an exciting challenge that every cyclist should experience. Participants highlighted the organisers’ meticulous planning and execution, which contributed to the event’s success. 

The secretary general of Powerhouse Cycling Club, João da Costa, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and the smooth running of the event. “We are thrilled with the positive feedback from the participants. The strong winds and unique landscape of Lüderitz made for a memorable race that truly tested the cyclists’ endurance and skills.” 

The sponsors of the event reiterated their commitment to supporting community development and promoting healthy lifestyles through sports. Cliff Shikuambi, Manager for Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement at Namport, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in fostering nation-building and creating lasting impacts for Namibians. 

Selma Kaulinge, Communications and Public Relations Manager at Nedbank Namibia, acknowledged the teething issues faced during the first-ever event, but highlighted the strong foundation laid for what could become a sought-after cycling event for both Namibian and international cyclists. 

“We believe in the power of sport to unite communities and drive economic growth. The success of the challenge is a testament to the potential of Lüderitz and the dedication of our organisers; we have established a solid base for future events. Nedbank continues to do good in the communities it serves, and this event is a great example of decentralising the sport of cycling, and making it more accessible to people across the country.” 

The event featured MTB races on 2 May, with cyclists tackling 25 and 50km courses. On 3 May, cycling road racers competed in 50km and 100km categories, while runners participated in 5km, 10km and 21km races.