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Navachab marathon yearns for world status 

Navachab marathon yearns for world status 

Less than 10 years ago, the Botswana Golden Grand Prix was an ordinary athletics meet with little international recognition. Today, it ranks among Africa’s biggest events, holding World Athletics Continental Tour Gold status and attracting some of the globe’s finest athletes. 

This is the ambitious path the organisers of the Navachab Half- Marathon envision for their event in the next three years, as they aim to secure World Athletics (WA) bronze label recognition. 

The marathon, which started back in September 2014 and is held annually, has steadily grown into one of Namibia’s top road running events. From hosting less than 100 participants in its early days to now attracting over 1 000 runners, the event has proven its potential to shape the face of road running in Namibia. 

Now, the organisers are determined to take it a step further by attaining a World Athletics bronze label status, which would place the event on the global calendar and open doors for international runners and participants. 

According to World Athletics regulations, for a half marathon to gain bronze label status, it must meet several key criteria. These include, such as hosting a minimum of six men and six women from the pool of athletes who have bronze label status or higher, or a minimum of four different nationalities represented by elite athletes. 

For a Half Marathon, male elite runners would need to have recorded a time of 1:04:00 or faster, and female elite runners 1:15:00 or faster in the preceding 36 months. 

Providing an internationally certified course measurement. Implementing doping control measures in line with World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules. Meeting broadcast or media coverage standards. The race must also have been contested for at least two editions over the distance they are applying for. 

Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday during a send-off ceremony for two athletes heading to the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon, Navachab’s Mclyn Kasale said their long-term goal is to transform the event into a globally recognised race and position Namibia as a viable destination for top-class athletics. “We are excited to be part of this ever-growing event. It’s been a long journey, and we hope it is still going to be a long journey for us together. We want the race to be recognised by World Athletics as a bronze event. Hence, we are going to be pushing to register the event with the World Athletics governing body,” he said. 

“We have seen how Botswana transformed their meet into a Gold Label event, and we believe it’s possible for us too. It will take investment, partnerships, and commitment to international standards, but the dream is alive,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Navachab Half- Marathon competition coordinator Bethold Karumendu, stated that sending Namibian athletes to compete internationally is the initial step in this process. “It’s something that can take us years before we get recognised. Hence, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that we get the knowledge on what needs to be done to ensure that our events are recognised,” he said. 

mkambukwe@nepc.com.na