Haufiku and Armas wins Vivo Energy Marathon
Road running
The Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon held in the capital on Saturday morning produced thrilling races.Enock Haufiku won the men’s 42,2km category in a time of 2 hours 34 minutes 39 seconds, while Alina Armas claimed first place in the women’s 42,2 km category, clocking 02:48:57.
Haufiku was followed by 2016 Olympian Mynhardt Kauanivi (02:54:29), while Ella Simeon was third in 2:58:03.
Enock Haufiku said: “I am thrilled by the victory, because it was a good race and I did not feel anything.
“I have been doing this running thing for a while now and I did not even get the challenges of the hills like many people are complaining about.
“I will now just continue working hard and win more competitions of such nature.”
The 39-year-old Armas on the other hand was followed by Ottilie Aimwata who clocked 2:59:22, with 43-year-old three-time Olympian Beata Naigambo finishing third in 3:01:43.
Armas has been in incredible form lately and proved that again with a great run. She said she was pleased with winning the women’s race in such a fashion.
“I first of all want to thank God and the team that has been supporting me through this.
“It was indeed a very tough race due to the cold weather conditions and the hills.
“I however managed to come through, even when the conditions were not very pleasing.
“I am going to work harder and will definitely keep getting better,” Arms said after her victory.
Jeremiah Shaliaxwe was successful in the 21,1 km marathon in a time of 01:09:23.
The runner said he was also pleased with the finish, even if the weather conditions were not that favourable.
“It was not easy, but I made it to the end and that makes me very pleased with myself,” Shaliaxwe said.
Ndeshimona Leena Ekandjo was the first woman to cross the finish line of the 21.1 km race, in a time of 1:28:59.
Ekandjo also expressed her satisfaction following a fine performance.
“It was good race and I am proud of what I have achieved even though the hills made it difficult at times,” Ekandjo said.
Top results in the half-marathon:
21,1 km (men)
1 Jeremiah Shaliaxwe 1:09:23
2 Nghilyeendele Ndahangwanasho 1:12:09
3 Jason Wedeipo Johannes 1:15:03
21,1 km km (women)
1 Ndeshimona Ekandjo 1:28:59
2 Ivonne Shelikita 1:30:31
3 Lucia Andrek 1:30:34
• Our production team’s highlights package of the Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon will be broadcast on NTV on Friday 4 August at 18:30.