Okanguindi
The usually laid back Okanguindi village in the Otjozondjupa Region sprung to life when scores of people flocked to the village to witness the successful staging of the 4th annual Mini Marathon, covering 9.5 km, on Christmas Day.
The gathering, which has become a serious crowd-puller in the area, attracted more than 100 inhabitants from Okanguindi and from adjacent villages, such as Otjikango, Erakarombi, Okatjozongondi, Okauha and Ongogoro.
The social event proved to be a vast improvement from the previous three years’ arrangement and the participants thoroughly enjoyed the day, as it was an open invitation, where anyone from 4-years-old and up to the age of 70 could participate.
There were two main types of categories in which participants could choose to compete: either the walking or the running events. The small kids (under 10 years) and the elderly were allocated half the distance to cover (5km), while the rest were expected to complete the whole distance of 9.5km.
As usual, water points along the way were provided, while volunteering members from the community availed their cars to serve as emergency vehicles.
The categories that had prizes up for grabs were as follows: running (boys and girls under 10 years); running (boys and girls 11-15 years); running (men and women separate, 16-44 years); running veterans (men only, 45 years and up); walking (men and women, 16-44 years), walking elderly (5-60 years, 5km only).
Various members of community were also awarded honorary medals for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the local community. The various prizes and the medals were donated by working young people, who hailed from Okanguindi village and their friends from other areas who supported the cause.
The biggest sponsorship came from Heavy-K Consulting Engineers of Olgen Hewicke (N$3 500), followed by Hungiree Trading and Publishing Investment cc Wilson Billawer – N$1 000 for medals, book prizes and breakfast), Otjiwa Poultry Farming (Javier Kerii – N$500, mineral water and snacks); Kamundu Cattle Farming -Seven Kamundu N$600 and gifts); Rivatera Nomake Tailoring -Katjinarenga Kazohua- N$500); Okanguindi Residents and friends (N$1460); Noa Kazeundja (N$300); and registration fees (N$110) as it was only N$5 per adult.
This financial boost enabled the adult winners to receive N$400 each, with second and third placed runners receiving N$300 and N$200 respectively, while medals (gold, silver and bronze) were awarded to those winners as well.
Anyone with constructive and professional advice on how to improve this rural area event is humbly requested to contact Hungiree Wilson Billawer (publicity and mobilisation officer) at 081 140 5673; Putens Tjihoreko (president) at 085 550 2246; Seven Kamundu (chairman) at 081 301 4303 and Mbahepura Kahungi (Ssecretary) at 081 295 5374.