Record participation for Namport Powerhouse Challenge
Jason Johannes and Otillie Aimwata, both from the NDF, walked away with the biggest spoils of the day (N$20 000 each) after winning the men’s and women’s divisions of the 50 km ultra-road running race at the Namport Powerhouse Challenge.
For its third edition, the Namport Powerhouse Challenge attracted its highest combined number of runners and cyclists since its launch, with close to 1,400 participants.
Namport marketing and stakeholder engagement manager Cliff Shikuambi said the annual wellness initiative had grown in participation and was being positioned as a flagship event on the port’s annual calendar.
Namport hopes to continue growing the event and establish it as an annual fixture, with the wellness initiative about more than the port’s operational activities, he said.
“Namport has a fiduciary responsibility within the communities that we operate in; enhancing connectivity, wellness and, among others, really just getting closer to our public and the port users.”
Shikuambi said the initiative’s main objectives include promoting community wellness, supporting the local economy and strengthening partnerships, connection and sport.
He pointed out the economic benefits to Walvis Bay, with participants travelling from other towns and supporting accommodation establishments and small businesses.
Hosting an event of this nature required substantial investment, creating further opportunities for the local economy, he said.
The event formed part of Namport’s partnership with the Erongo Business and Tourism Expo, with the Powerhouse Challenge held on the final day of the exhibition at the Walvis Bay Civic Centre.
The challenge offered a combined prize pool of close to N$200,000, including N$20,000 for the male and female winners. The 21.1 km race also served as a qualifying race for the Comrades Marathon and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.
Shikuambi encouraged residents to participate in sport regardless of their fitness levels.
“If you are the five-kilometre runner, do the five kilometres. If you are a 35 km mountain bike cyclist, please get yourself onto the bike. Get healthy. A healthy nation is a productive nation,” he said.
ROAD RUNNING TOP RESULTS
50 km overall men: 1 Jason Johannes (3:01:09), 2 Winter Erastus (3:08:12), 3 Paulus Iyambo (3:11:06).
50 km overall women: 1 Otillie Aimwata (3:41:39), 2 Delicia Mupetami (4:36:13), 3 Maria Matsi (5:15:12).
50 km open men: 1 Jason Johannes (3:01:09), 2 Simon Modestus (3:21:17), 3 Tomas Andreas (3:22:05).
50 km open women: 1 Delicia Mupetami (4:36:13), 2 Wilhelmina Penehafo Elia (5:21:26), 3 Frieda Nambala (5:33:35).
50 km veteran men: 1 Winter Erastus (3:08:12), 2 Paulus Iyambo (3:11:06), 3 Lazarus Amuthenu (4:11:46).
50 km veteran women: 1 Otillie Aimwata (3:41:39), 2 Maria Matsi (5:21:26), 3 Sirie Topulathana (5:30:04).
50 km grand masters men: 1 Achim Herma (5:20:19), 2 Fabian Haifiku (5:48:56)
50 km grand masters women: Elizabeth Shino (6:01:55)
50 km masters men: 1 Renier Klaassen (4:27:52), 2 Abed Lacho (5:14:14), 2 Immanuel Alungongo (5:21:24)
21 km overall men: 1 Joel Lukas (1:09:33)
21 km overall women: Salmi Nduviteko (1:17:12)
21 km open women: 1 Salmi Nduviteko (1:17:12), 2 Shipolo Shiyufikeni (1:35:09), 3 Dhimbulukweni Taapopi (1:37:04).
21 km open men: 1 Joel Lukas (1:09:33), 2 Hundsdorfer Nakale (1:25:04), 3 Matheus Thomas (1:26:26).
21 km veteran women: 1 Beata Naigambo (1:26:28), 2 Sofia Ipinge (1:46:12), 3 Ndemufayo Angula (1:47:35).
21 km veteran men: 1 Israel Amuka (1:10:54), 2 Matheus Namakatu (1:43:44), 3 Matti Kuwa (1:49:04).
21 km masters men:1 Gabriel Braz (1:29:58), 2 Salomon Swartbooi (1:42:51), 3 Deon Beukes (1:49:12).
21 km masters women: 1 Sieglinde Gontes (1:53:45)
21 km grand masters men: 1 Ewald Ochs (2:36:54).
21 km grand masters women: 1 Christine Haupt (2:03:48).
21 km junior men: 1 Petrus Nuule (1:10:46), Jesaya Shingidwa (1:19:08), 3 Petrus Mpande (1:19:22).
10 km overall men: 1 Wilhelm Hangula (31:18).
10 km overall women: 1 Ivonne Shelikita (34:50).
10 km open men: 1 Wilhelm Hangula (31:18), Selvanus Valombola (32:19), Abrosius Shiimi (33:26).
10 km open women: 1 Selma Simon (38:01), 2 Martha Samuel (41:13), 3 Michelle von Stein (45:05).
CYCLING TOP RESULTS
70 km elite men: 1 Josef Fillipus (2:32:08), 2 Stephanus van der Westhuizen (2:40:03), 3 Andris Simeon (2:42:34)
70 km elite women: 1 Olivia Shililifa (2:27:28).
70 km masters men: 1 Gustav Gouws (2:40:03), 2 Konrad Knouwds (3:03:39), 3 Wikus Oberholster (3:03:40).
70 km masters women: 1 Marion Himmel (2:43:01).
70 km sub-veteran men: 1 Danzel de Koe (2:05:26), 2 Anthony Jevu (2:12:07), 3 Brandon Stiger (2:12:21).
70 km sub-veteran women: 1 Laina Kapenda (2:48:48), Winnie Mukupuki (2:49:56).
70 km veteran men: 1 Ettiene Steenkamp (2:25:52), 2 Lazarus Shangandi (2:27:43), 3 Andre Diergaardt (2:35:06).
70 km veteran women: 1 Louise Breed (2:15:06), 2 Monja Scholtz (2:27:28), 3 Michelle Steenkamp (2:42:13).
35 km elite women: 1 Monicques van Rensburg (2:05:59).
35 km masters men: 1 Anthony van Wyk (1:18:39), 2 Nigel Sinden (1:40:27), 3 Wayne Chapman (3:01:39).
35 km sub-veteran men: 1 Nuno Fernandes (1:27:39), 3 Sackaria Ndeshimona (1:27:55).
35 km sub-veteran women: 1 Melissa Kotze (1:55:42), 2 Charmaine Oliver (2:00:37).
35 km veteran men: 1 Darian van Wyk (1:18:39), 2 Randall Phillips (1:18:41), 3 Tauko Shilongo (1:31:53).
