Running for change: Red Run inspires fitness and community
Road running
Bank Windhoek’s first Red Run, held last Saturday, transformed Windhoek’s streets into a vibrant hub of activity. Formerly known as the Bank Windhoek Relay, the rebranded event in partnership with Ae-//Gams Sports Club kicked into gear at 06:00 and concluded by 11:00 at Zoo Park.
More than 1,700 participants took on the distances of either 5 km, 10 km, 21 km or 42 km, embodying the event’s spirit of community and fitness.
In the 42.2 km race, veteran runner Ottillie Aimwata claimed first place in the overall female and veteran categories.
Aimwata, who has run for over ten years with the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) Running Club, emphasized the importance of health and fitness. “I ran to empower women to set health goals and stay fit,” she shared.
Les Trollope, winner of the men’s 42.2 km race, praised the event's challenging course. As a seasoned road runner, Trollope has participated in prestigious events like the 2024 Boston Marathon and was the fastest Namibian finisher at this year’s Comrades ultra-marathon in 6 hours 54 minutes. He’s also preparing for his next challenge, the Cape Town Marathon in October 2024.
Eliander Nepembe took the top spot in the 21.1 km race, attributing his win to consistent training. “Winning feels great, and it comes from dedicated effort,” he said, comparing his step up to the 21.1 km challenge to the shorter distance covered by individuals in the former Bank Windhoek Relay.
Aiming to double
Bank Windhoek’s managing director, Baronice Hans, highlighted the event’s purpose: to unite Namibians in creating positive change.
“We aim to build a red army of people committed to making a difference in their communities,” Hans said. Looking ahead, she hopes to see at least 3 000 participants in next year’s event.
Bank Windhoek’s executive officer for marketing and corporate communication, Jacquiline Pack, thanked participants, partners and vendors for their contributions to the event’s success.
“Bank Windhoek is committed to supporting Namibian sports and making positive changes,” she said.
The winners shared a total prize of N$60 000, with all participants receiving medals.
The Bank Windhoek Red Run looks set to provide a powerful platform for promoting health, unity and community impact in Namibia.