Namibians finish strong in Racing the Namib 2024
Ultra-endurance
Vicente Juan Beneito of Spain and Deborah Walker of Australia took the winners' prizes.
The seventh edition of the Namib Race and the 73rd Racing The Planet Four Deserts ultra-marathon concluded at Swakopmund over the weekend.
The Namib Race 2024, a grueling 250-kilometre, six-stage, seven-day ultra-distance race across the world’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert in Namibia, drew over 100 participants from 47 countries, including three representatives from the host nation.
The race which started on Sunday 28 April took place in the Skeleton Coast National Park all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Competitors experienced a great diversity of scenery and terrain, including beaches where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, and they passed through seal colonies, salt pans, and salt lakes, which are home to flamingos. They traversed the famous dunes of the Namib Desert, ventured into dry riverbeds where a hint of water gave way to lush green vegetation, and crossed vast open desert plains and hills.
The Namib Race 2024 awards banquet was held at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre. The awards were presented to the overall champions, age-group winners, as well as recipients of the Spirit and Sportsmanship Awards.
Vicente Juan Beneito of Spain claimed the coveted title of overall winner for the Namib Race 2024, with a remarkable time of 25 hours 03 minutes across all six stages.
Deborah Walker of Australia emerged victorious in the women’s category, completing the race in 32 hours 53 minutes.
Among the local Namibian representatives, Martin Kalwenya (47) achieved a commendable fourth place overall, concluding the six stages in 29 hours 22 minutes. Despite encountering various obstacles along the course, Kalwenya expressed gratitude to his sponsors OTB Sport, Plastic Packaging and Otesa Namibia for their support during his debut in the Namib Race.
Pamela Vurayai (45) clinched the fourth position in the women's division and 12th overall, overcoming the challenge of carrying nearly 10 kg on her back. Despite battling blisters acquired during the race, Vurayai proved her resilience and completed the demanding course.
Frans Amakali (42), a seasoned ultra-marathon runner, reflected on the difficulties of the race, emphasizing its role in promoting fitness and wellness. Amakali says the Namib Desert shows no mercy and that the course was indeed a challenging yet exciting one to take on. Amakali completed the six stages in 39 hours 15 minutes.
The performance of Namibian participants in Racing the Namib 2024 underscores their resilience and determination in conquering one of the world's most arduous ultra-events amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Namib Desert.
The Namib Race 2024, a grueling 250-kilometre, six-stage, seven-day ultra-distance race across the world’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert in Namibia, drew over 100 participants from 47 countries, including three representatives from the host nation.
The race which started on Sunday 28 April took place in the Skeleton Coast National Park all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Competitors experienced a great diversity of scenery and terrain, including beaches where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, and they passed through seal colonies, salt pans, and salt lakes, which are home to flamingos. They traversed the famous dunes of the Namib Desert, ventured into dry riverbeds where a hint of water gave way to lush green vegetation, and crossed vast open desert plains and hills.
The Namib Race 2024 awards banquet was held at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre. The awards were presented to the overall champions, age-group winners, as well as recipients of the Spirit and Sportsmanship Awards.
Vicente Juan Beneito of Spain claimed the coveted title of overall winner for the Namib Race 2024, with a remarkable time of 25 hours 03 minutes across all six stages.
Deborah Walker of Australia emerged victorious in the women’s category, completing the race in 32 hours 53 minutes.
Among the local Namibian representatives, Martin Kalwenya (47) achieved a commendable fourth place overall, concluding the six stages in 29 hours 22 minutes. Despite encountering various obstacles along the course, Kalwenya expressed gratitude to his sponsors OTB Sport, Plastic Packaging and Otesa Namibia for their support during his debut in the Namib Race.
Pamela Vurayai (45) clinched the fourth position in the women's division and 12th overall, overcoming the challenge of carrying nearly 10 kg on her back. Despite battling blisters acquired during the race, Vurayai proved her resilience and completed the demanding course.
Frans Amakali (42), a seasoned ultra-marathon runner, reflected on the difficulties of the race, emphasizing its role in promoting fitness and wellness. Amakali says the Namib Desert shows no mercy and that the course was indeed a challenging yet exciting one to take on. Amakali completed the six stages in 39 hours 15 minutes.
The performance of Namibian participants in Racing the Namib 2024 underscores their resilience and determination in conquering one of the world's most arduous ultra-events amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Namib Desert.
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