Namibian marathon runner Lavinia Haitope produced an impressive performance to win gold in the elite women’s 21kilometre (km) race at the Kazungula Bridge Marathon in Botswana on Saturday. 

Haitope crossed the finish line in a time of 1:13:44, beating Botswana’s Mosadikwena Gotswakgosi, who finished second in 1:18:06, while Kenya’s Nancy Chepleting settled for third place in 1:20:47.

In the veteran women’s 21km race, Namibian long-distance runner Beata Naigambo also claimed gold after clocking 1:23:49.

In the veteran men’s 21km category, Namibia’s Matheus Kadhingula finished third. The race was won by Kenya’s Ezra Keter in 55:41, with his compatriot Timothy Kosgey taking second place in 55:42.

Meanwhile, Jeremia Shaliaxwe secured third place in the senior men’s 42km event. The race was won by Zimbabwe’s Issac Mpofu in 2:14:18, followed by South Africa’s Siboniso Sikhakhane, who finished second in 2:19:17.

Speaking after the race, Haitope said the conditions made the competition particularly demanding.

“It was a very challenging race. It was extremely hot with many hills, especially towards the end. I stayed focused, managed my pace well and finished strong. I’m proud of my performance and happy to have achieved my season’s best in the 21km,” she said. Haitope added that her next target will be the Two Oceans Half Marathon in Cape Town in April. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na