On your marks. Run for your life!

Running saves lives.

So says Elago ‘Lagos’ Ndjembo (40), a civil engineer who has become one of Namibia’s running capital’s many runners.

Running has over the past few years become a popular pastime for many Windhoekers, with a daunting number of organised events to take part in.

The Namibian takes a closer look.

A few months ago, Ndjembo tipped the scales at 106kg.

His clothes fit too tight, and he felt like a stranger in his own body.

The excess weight dragged him down and ate at his confidence and mental health.

“I just wanted to lose weight. I didn’t like the way I looked,” he says.

By January Ndjembo had had enough.

Determined to change, he began running.

At first, he managed no more than one kilometre. This was his personal ‘marathon’.

This was no walk in the park, he says.

“My marathon was only one kilometre, but it was very tough.”

Ndjembo knew he had to keep running if he wanted to get fit and lose weight.

For years, he says, he thought running was for people who wanted to run away from their problems.

But as running for charitable causes and community building became increasingly popular in Windhoek, he started embracing the sport as part of his fitness journey.

Several months down the line, Ndjembo took part in a 15km social run, hosted by Namibia Medical Care (NMC) and Windhoek City Runners Club (WCRC) on 14 September.

Ndjembo now runs 70km a week and has participated in everything from local fun runs to international marathons such as the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town.

‘SAVING MY LIFE’

“It starts with one kilometre, then three, then 20km – but you have to take the first step,” he says.

Joining social runs has given him a sense of community and connection with others who are equally passionate about their health, Ndjembo says.

Running has become his meditation time – a way to clear his head.

“I started running to lose weight, but somewhere along the line I realised it was actually saving my life.”

Not only did it help Ndjembo shed pounds, he says, but it also gave him a sense of purpose and accomplishment he never had before.

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Among many corporates and banks which have joined the running frenzy is Bank Windhoek.

The bank’s Red Run managed to garner 1 900 participants on 10 August.

The event aimed to promote healthy living and support local businesses, spokesperson Jacquiline Pack says.

She says Bank Windhoek contributed to all costs related to the run as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“We are not doing this for monetary gain, but rather to promote healthy communities and to increase our brand visibility,” she says.

Pack says entry fees helped cover the administration of entries for the event, while items such as medals, trophies, and T-shirts were locally sourced to support the local economy.

“The event supports the economy by primarily offering a platform for small businesses to sell

various products. But most importantly, a healthy community has a positive impact on the economy,” she says.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

Charles Gordon, an organiser at Windhoek Harriers Running Club, says the corporate sponsorships involved in running events usually cover organising the events, winners’ prize money, medals and T-shirts.

The next big thing in the running capital is NamibRe’s Windhoek City Run on 26 October.

“The sponsorship from the Namibia National Reinsurance Corporation (NamibRe) of N$50 000 goes to prize money, and Hollard Namibia is sponsoring medals for the first 500 finishers. These companies all have their logos displayed at the events,” he says.

Gordon says without corporate sponsorships sportsmanship in Namibia would not thrive.

“As a running club we thrive due to sponsors. No sporting event in Namibia would survive without sponsorships.”

Gordon says although sponsors do not generate income from running events, they benefit by marketing their brands through T-shirts and medals.

He says running clubs like Windhoek Harriers survive by charging entry and membership fees.

“The entry fees go to the organisers, administration and refreshments for runners.”

THE NEW TINDER

WCRC chairperson Lisa Matomola says her club’s bimonthly social run has grown from 50 participants in 2017 to over 700 entries and 300 participating on 14 September.

“The social run takes place every two months and is sponsored by NMC to encourage healthy living and well-being,” she says.

Matomola says the event attracts people who challenge their bodies, but she disagrees that running is the ‘new Tinder’, as some runners say.

“Here we run, we don’t date. Those who are here to date are not runners. Maybe Tinder is at Vivo’s run,” she jokes.

Some couples do run together, she says, and families use the activity to strengthen bonds.

“Maybe some people find the love of their lives here,” she says.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwen­ye, who is also a member of the Performance Movement and WCRC, says running events bring people with a shared passion for health and fitness together.

He says social media encourages running enthusiasts to join conversations and motivates them to become part of a close-knit community.

“During my running journey, I’ve seen friendships blossom beyond the road. The shared experience of preparing for and competing in challenging races bonds people in unique ways,” he says.

NO JUDGING

Tuvemue Komomungondo (26), a first-time runner, says she decided to join the NMC/WCRC social run in September when her boyfriend, Victorinu Ruhepho (31), promised to be with her every step of the way..

She says after years of watching him pursue running, she decided she could manage this too.

“He told me I didn’t need to be afraid of looking bad or unfit in front of the person I wanted to impress, that there is safety in love.”

Ruhepho is currently preparing to run a half-marathon.

He says Komomungondo has always supported him in his preparation.

And the fact that both are now prioritising their health cements their relationship, he says.

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Long-distance runner Birgit Hoffmann (58), a psychologist and executive coach, says a rise in healthy habits has led to running events attracting more participants.

Hoffmann, who has been running for 34 years, attributes her increased concentration, focus and overall physical health to running.

“Running has a lot of benefits. I run 49km to 60km every week, depending on my schedule, and my body is much stronger and healthier for it,” she says.

She says she has not been sick so far this year.

The increase witnessed in sport and sport accessory outlets is due to physical exercise tracking apps like Strava, Hoffmann says.

“Your runs are loaded onto the app, and you can then keep track of your running statistics, which makes for good conversation with other runners,” she says.

Hoffman says she is part of the ‘5 am club’, meaning she gets up at 05h00 most days to join her running group.

People are attracted to the sport, because it doesn’t require much effort, she says.

“Running is easy, all you need is a pair of running shoes and the open road.”

SPECIAL BONDS

Hoffmann has completed races in South Africa, Austria, Norway, France and Germany and recently took part in a marathon in Athens, Greece, with her son, Oliver.

“This created a special bond between mother and son. Oliver has been championing me at the side of the road with bottles of water since he was a baby,” she says.