Hesron Kapanga
KARIBIB – Long-distance runners of the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) dominated the various categories during the 10th edition of the QKR Namibia Navachab half-marathon, which took place in Karibib on Saturday.
NCS athlete Paulus Daniel and Namibian Police Force runner Lavinia Haitope were crowned the new champions of the Navachab half-marathon after finishing first in their respective categories.
The Navachab marathon saw over 700 athletes competing in the 21-kilometre (km) race, 10km, and the 5km fun run/walk.
Daniel, representing NCS, completed the men’s main race at 01:04:38.
Last year’s winner in the men’s category, Jeremia Shaliaxwe of NamPol, came second with a time of 01:06:50, and Reinhold Thomas of NCS took the last podium place with a time of 01:07:56.
In the women’s category, Haitope dominated her race, completing the women’s event in a time of 01:16:37.
NCS runner Martha Shivolo, who won last year’s race, finished second with a time of 01:16:57, ahead of the Namibian Defence Force’s (NDF) Alina Armas, who completed her race in 01:19:35.
In an interview with Nampa after the race, Daniel said this is the second time he has won the Navachab half-marathon.
He expressed his excitement at being crowned the 2024 champion.
“I enjoyed the run today. It was nice competing against the best, as they pushed me throughout the race,” he said, adding that the new route and windy conditions in the morning provided a good challenge to the athletes.
Meanwhile, Haitope told the agency that she used the half-marathon as preparation for the upcoming Cape Town marathon.
“The new route introduced this year provided good competition for the athletes. The steep hill at the start is challenging, but I am grateful for being crowned champion this year,” she said.
The winners of this year’s championships in the 10km women’s run are Helalia Johannes (NDF) in the first place, Lucia Lyaalukeni (NCS) in second place and Aina Beata Jeremiah in third place.
In the men’s category, Simon Paulus (NCS) finished first, followed by Teofilus Lisias in second place and Thomas Shigwedha (NCS) in third spot.
In an interview with Nampa after the race, Berthold Karumendu, who is the race director and sports officer in the sport ministry in the Erongo region, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the race.
“Our goal is to elevate this race to an international event. We hope to negotiate with Region Five to take over the race. This, in turn, will help in attracting more international athletes,” he said.
– Nampa