Navachab Half Marathon celebrates a decade in Karibib
Athletics
The 10th edition of the Navachab Half-marathon Challenge Race will take place at Karibib on 21 September.The race is organized by the sport ministry’s Omaruru office in collaboration with the main sponsor, QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine, who pledged N$700 000 towards the competition.
The event features 21 km, 10 km and 5 km race categories and is open to participants from across the country and abroad, with total prize money of N$350 000 up for grabs in its respective categories.
At the official launch yesterday at the sports ministry’s office, the race director and regional sport officer in Omaruru, Bethold Karumendu, said the link to online registrations will be released by Friday to regional sports offices and clubs, where athletes can sign up to compete.
“Those without internet access can visit their local sports offices for assistance,” he noted.
Marathon route
Karumendu emphasised that the event caters to social and elite runners. Link
“Participants will start off from the Husab location, proceed straight past Engen Service Station, and continue along the road until reaching the hill on the Navachab road.
“The 21 km participants will run 10.5 km along this route before turning back, while the 10 km runners will cover 5 km before returning. The 5 km runners will follow the same path, running 2.5 km before heading back,” he noted.
Karumendu encouraged individuals to participate in large numbers. He further expressed gratitude to the sponsors for providing water points along the route to keep runners hydrated.
“Sponsors of the event include FNB Namibia, Nammed Medical Aid Fund, Vivo Energy Namibia, Coca-Cola Namibia, Agra Karibib, Engen Service Station Karibib and the Karibib Town Council,” he said.
‘I ran for 10 years’
QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine representative McLyn Kasale expressed excitement about the 10th anniversary of the Navachab Half-marathon Challenge, calling it a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership.
“The unique nature of the race, as it is open to young athletes from schools, aims to foster a love for sports from an early age.,” he said.
Kasale revealed that the event’s theme, “I ran for 10 years,” reflects how the race has become a lifestyle for many.
Addressing suggestions from last year to expand the event into including a full marathon, Kasale said: “The signature is ‘half-marathon’, so we will keep it at that.”
The director of sport development, Jo-Ann Manuel, said the initiative is part of the sports ministry’s broader effort to engage more individuals in sports, intending to send more qualified athletes to future Olympic Games.
She pointed out that only one athlete from Athletics Namibia, Helalia Johannes, competed in the full marathon at the recently concluded Olympics, with no other qualified middle or long-distance runners.
“As we look toward Los Angeles 2028 [the next Olympics], we need to identify promising young athletes who can represent the country on the world stage,” she said.
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