Rössing Uranium and the Swakop Striders Running Club are marking 35 years of collaboration by hosting the iconic Rössing National Marathon on 7 March in Swakopmund.

Swakop Striders Secretary, Frank Slabbert, who has been involved in athletics administration since the early 1980s, reflected on the journey of this partnership.

“In 1991, a group of Rössing employees who shared a passion for running founded the Swakop Striders Running Club and approached the mine with a plan to host the marathon, marking the beginning of what would evolve into one of Namibia’s most enduring sporting partnerships,” he said.

He added that, “This is the oldest running event in the Erongo Region, and I do not believe there is anything older in the country now. There were difficult years, I remember one year in the 1990s when we had only five runners in the marathon, but introducing the 10km race saved the event as we had more runners in that category.”

Slabbert noted that this collaboration has strengthened over the years into a fully integrated partnership, combining financial backing, strategic alignment, and shared commitment to community development through sport.

“Today, the Rössing National Marathon stands not only as a competitive platform for elite athletes but also as an inclusive event that welcomes runners of all abilities, from seasoned marathoners to social 10km participants,” he added.

Rössing Uranium’s corporate communication manager, Daylight Ekandjo, emphasised the significance of the milestone partnership.

“For 35 years, this partnership with Swakop Striders has demonstrated the power of collaboration in building a lasting sporting legacy. The Rössing National Marathon is more than a race, it is a celebration of community and healthy living,” she said,

 Adding that Rössing Uranium remains committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful impact and bring people together.

As the marathon marks 35 years of collaboration, Rössing Uranium and Swakop Striders look forward to welcoming 4 500 registered runners to this year’s event and to continuing their efforts to promote road running, nurture talent, and strengthen community spirit in the Erongo region. 

-newsroom@nepc.com.na