Rainhold and Haitope dominate Rössing Marathon

Defending men’s title holder Tomas Rainhold was crowned as the 2024 champion again, while Lavinia Haitope overcame the illustrious Helalia Johannes on her way to winning the women’s 42 km race at the Rössing Marathon Championship in Swakopmund on Saturday.

Rainhold crossed the line in two hours 18 minutes 18 seconds, while Haitope finished in 02:43:11. They each received a cash prize of N$20 000 and shopping vouchers valued at N$20 000 for sports gear and equipment.

At the finish line, Rainhold told the media: “I feel my body is in top shape, I feel really good and this is good preparation for me because my next marathon is in South Korea where I'll try to qualify for the Olympics.”

Four-time Olympian Helalia Johannes, overall second in the 42 km women’s race and first of the veteran women, also has her sights set on the Olympics. The 43-year-old said: “I had a knock on my knee that has recovered very well. At the race in South Korea I will try qualifying for the Olympics, I feel great, so let’s hope for the best.”

This year, over 2 000 runners registered for the 42 km, 21 km or 10 km distances.

Rössing Uranium’s managing director Johan Coetzee congratulated all the participants for their bravery to support the popular road running event in such great numbers.

“For you to be here, it might have started with that friend who dragged you into this running thing. They annoyed you with morning texts and made sure you never gave up. But here you are today.

“Tap yourself on the shoulder for finishing this challenge, regardless of the position in which you finished. We present this marathon to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage every one of you to make your health a priority. We hope this was not just for social media pictures on a coastal trip.

“It’s safe to say, continue running or walking often to keep yourself fit and healthy. Move more so you can live longer, is the theme of this year’s marathon,” Coetzee said.

“It is evident that this event has grown in leaps and bounds.”

The Fun Walk event attracted over 400 walkers, with winners from the set categories winning N$2 000 each, as officially sponsored b Rössing Uranium contractor company, Oshitenda Business CC.

“To all winners taking podium positions, congratulations! You worked hard for it, and it’s your time to harvest what you planted and never failed to water. For those who came up close, you too are a winner,” Coetzee added.

A total prize money of N$162 000 was paid out this year.

The main winners in the 42 km (marathon) were:



Open men: 1 Thomas Rainhold 2:18:80 (N$20 000), 2 Tangeni Sakaria 2:18:38 (N$8000), 3 Matias Simon 2:23:42 (N$5000).

Open women: 1 Lavinia Haitope 2:43:11 (N$20 000), 2 Helalia Johannes 2:51:00 (N$8000), 3 Ottillie Aimwata 2:59:57 (N$5000).

Veteran men 1 Pinehas Embashu (N$2000), 2 Martin Ntinda (N$1000), 3 Toivo Festus (N$500).

Veteran women: 1 Helalia Johannes (N$2000), 2 Ottillie Aimwata (N$1000), 3 Harriet Knott (N$500).

Masters men: 1 Andre Ross (N$2000), 2 Alex Kanu (N$1000), 3 Brian Mclaire (N$500).

Masters women: 1 Birgit Hoffmann (N$2000), 2 Shani Erlank (N$1000), 3 Elizabeth Shino (N$500).

Grand master men: 1 Raimund Kintscher (N$2000), 2 Johannes Gawaxamab (N$1000), 3 Joe Absai (N$500).

Grand master women: 1 Ann Swarts (N$2000), 2 Marina Coetzee (N$1000).



21 km (Half-marathon)

Open men: 1 Simon Paulus (N$6000), 2 Simon Nakale (N$4000), 3 Paulus Iiyambo (N$2000).

Open women: 1 Martha Shivolo (N$6000), 2 Beata Naigambo (N$4000), 3 Monika Kandjebo (N$2000).

Junior men: 1 Paavo Paavo (N$1500), 2 Junias Kalili (N$1000), 3 Henock Henock (N$500).

Junior women: 1 Monika Kandjebo (N$1500), 2 Elizabeth Kalola (N$1000), 3 Beata Nghilifilwa (N$500).