Over the weekend, Swakopmund witnessed an extraordinary turnout of over 2000 athletes at the 2024 Rössing Marathon, marking a new record for participant numbers.

Athletes from across the nation congregated in Swakopmund to partake in the highly anticipated 2024 Rössing Marathon, a collaborative effort between Rössing Uranium and Swakop Striders.

This year's event made history with the largest attendance in its 33-year legacy.

The Rössing Marathon stands as the flagship sports event for Rössing Uranium and is a prominent fixture on the sporting calendar of the Erongo region.

Participants engaged in various race categories, including a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, a 10 km race, and a 5 km fun-walk.

Notably, all proceeds from the 5 km fun-walk entries will be donated to the Cancer Association of Namibia.

The competitions unfolded amidst favorable weather conditions, with the spotlight on the half and full marathon races.

Athletes navigated through Swakopmund town, proceeded along the Henties Bay road, and concluded at the finish line.

In the men's 42 km race, a closely-knit group of runners maintained pace until the final stretch.

Tomas Rainhold emerged victorious with a time of 02:18:18, closely followed by Tangeni Sakaria and Matias Simon.

The women's 42 km race saw Lavinia Haitope clinching the lead and securing first place with a time of 02:43:11, with Risa Dreyer finishing as the runner-up.

While competition was fierce, many participants revelled in the spirit of participation rather than focusing solely on winning.

The event not only served as a platform for competitive running but also offered entertainment for individuals of all ages.

Johan Coetzee, Managing Director of Rössing Uranium, expressed delight in the event's success, highlighting the unparalleled challenge it presented to participants.

Winners of the full marathon were awarded 20,000 Namibian dollars, along with an additional 20,000 Namibian dollars as a development bonus.