Omaruru Street Mile on the cards
Road running
Erongo Region sports officer Bethold Karumendu expects a large number of runners at the 12th annual Omaruru Street Mile this weekend. The town’s annual event on Saturday will see some of the country’s top mile runners gather to challenge each other for prize money and medals.
This street mile took its first steps in 2013 with less than 500 participants. In 2022, almost 1 300 athletes participated, and this year, more than 1 500 hopefuls are getting ready to participate.
The event will once again be aided with a sponsorship of more than N$120 000 from Omaruru PowerSave, to be used for administration and prize money.
“First of all I would like to thank Power-Save Omaruru for having supported me for the past 12 years.
“I would also like to acknowledge First National Bank Namibia for contributing N$20 000 as well as the Omaruru Local Authority for availing the street.
“We are ready to welcome the participants to the town and I can assure that the event promises to be bigger and better,” Karumendu said.
He said the registration for the event will take place upon arrival on 17 October and in the morning before the race on 18 October.
Organisers will be introducing wheelchair racing at the event in order to promote inclusiveness.
The event will also have a primary and secondary division for the boys and girls, as well as a veterans’ race.
The other categories at the event include the masters and grand masters for the people over 50 years.
“We also have the main category which is the senior category for those in their 20s to 30 and above,” Karumendu said.
Honours list
David Dam won the elite men’s street mile for the last two years, which included his 2023 win ahead of former Olympic marathon runner Rainhold Tomas.
The defending women’s champion Alina Armas is also a former Olympic marathon contestant, who came second at Omaruru in 2023 behind Martha Shivolo.
Renowned names such as Lavinia Haitope, Mynhardt Kauanivi, Kephas Kondjashili Helalia Johannes and Beata Naigambo are also among the list of previous winners.
Rewards
The winners of the main category will walk away with a prize of N$7 000 for both male and female.
There will also be a bonus of N$2 000 for anyone who runs the mile in under 4 minutes.
“I would also like to acknowledge the directorate of sport for securing transport from different regions to Omaruru. This gesture means that if you find yourselves in other regions and want to come and do the mile, you will be able to arrange transport.”
Chief sports officer in the Ministry of Sports, Letu Hamhola, expressed his gratitude towards Karumendu and organisers of the event.
Hamhola is confident that the event will continue to deliver top stars as it has in the past, as a stepping stone for those striving to achieve higher honours.
“The street mile is a very important event and many athletes around the world have gone on to become greats.
“I remember back in the day when the event of such nature was taking place here in Namibia and it produced wonderful memories,
“This event will surely help pave the way and create an opportunity for top mile runners to showcase their talent,” Hamhola said.
Last year, the competition had around 1 512 participants who competed at the town.
Categories
Senior women and men (20 to 39 years)
Junior women and men (14–19)
Veteran women and men (40–49)
Master women and men (50-plus)
Wheelchair athletes (women and men)