KEETMANSHOOP – Willem Silver won the cycling race at the 30th annual Fish Rivier Marathon and cycling event here on Saturday.
Silver, 55, won the 104km cycling race in a time of three hours, 11 minutes and 38 seconds (3:11:38). He was followed by Jurie Moolman in a time of 3:11:39, while Gerhard van der Merwe was third in a time of 3:12:02.
In the 42.2km marathon, Martin Ntinda came out tops in a time of 2:33:28, while Aaron Tjivambi placed second followed by Johannes Naitembu, who was taking part in the event for the first time.
Ntinda was competing in the event for the fifth time, winning it for the second time. He ended as runner-up three times.
Speaking to Nampa soon after the race, Ntinda expressed satisfaction, saying he ran a good race.
“I paced myself well. The weather was good for the race, and the competition was good,” he noted.
Tjivambi lamented an injury on his left ring finger, saying it prevented him from increasing his pace.
“I have a bad injury on my finger. When I tried increasing the pace, the pain would become unbearable, hence I failed to defend my title. But I will be back next year,” he promised.
The women’s section was won by Sofia Nambambi in 3:37:22. She was the only competitor in this category.
This marathon is a qualifying event for the world famous Comrades Marathon in South Africa, which takes place every June.
Other events included a 42km cycle relay, 8km run relay and a 10km walk.
A total of 335 people participated on the day.
The youngest cycling competitor was Bradley McKay, who is 16 years old, while Carlos Perez was the oldest competitor at 64 years.
The event is organised by the Naute Sports Forum, who in addition to promoting sport, aims to shine a positive light on the Keetmanshoop town and the south of the country as a whole.
Other results:
104km cycling
Veteran Women:
1. – Elmarie Adriaanse 3:46:19
2. – Louwene Radford 4:34:09
3. – Koba Becker 4:34:12
42km cycling
Men
1. – Louis Coetzee 1:15:46
2. – George Hamukwaya 1:15:48
3. – Sean Silver 1:24:19
Women
2. – Beatrice Coleti 1:59:29
3. – Geraldine Rhoman 2:04:20
Marathon Veterans:
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