WINDHOEK – The town of Omaruru will this coming weekend be a hive of activity when the eagerly awaited Coca Cola National 10-km Challenge gets underway at the town on Saturday at Luna Park.
Namibia’s renowned sport consultant, Bethold Karumendu, yesterday officially launched the race where the headline sponsor, Coca Cola reaffirmed their commitment by pledging a handsome N$25 000 to ensure the smooth running of all proceedings during the course of the event.
Winners in the various categories are guaranteed to walk away with some cool prize monies, with the winner in both male and female U/20-39 age category set to take home N$1 500 while the 2nd and 3rd placed finishers will also walk away with N$1 000 and N$700 respectively.
In both the male and female U/13-19 age groups, first placed finishers will pocket N$1 000 while 2nd and 3rd placed finishers will take home N$700 and N$500. In both the male and female veterans categories (U/40-49), winners are guaranteed to pocket N$700 with 2nd and 3rd placed finishers taking home N$500 and N$300.
In both the male and female Master categories (50 years and up), the top three finishers will take home N$500, N$300 and N$100 respectively in that order. Besides the exciting prize monies, the race will also be graced by the presence of Zambian popular runner Benhard Bwalya, who is expected to give local runners a decent run for their money. Karumendu used the opportunity to announce the upcoming Beach Volleyball Bonanza, also taking place at Omaruru on the 13th of September. Although he hasn’t secured a sponsor for the event yet, Karumendu was positive they would host a memorable event. The Namibia Air-force and Prison Services volleyball clubs will also partake in the event.
At the town of Karibib, the much anticipated Navachab Gold Mine 21-km Half Marathon is finally back on the country’s sports’ calendar and will now take place in Karibib on 20 September. Just after Namibia’s independence, the race was one of the biggest events and produced many athletic greats, but the race slowly died due to lack of sponsors.
Thus, the Navachab Gold Mine has this year channelled N$45 000 to revive the race and hopefully take it to greater heights. Karumendu, who will also spearhead the organisation of the race, promised to make the race bigger and better.
By Otniel Hembapu