Simon, Haitope take Sanlam Coastal Marathon titles

Twenty-two-year-old Simon Matias and Lavinia Haitope (34) were the overall winners of the Sanlam Coastal Marathon in Swakopmund on Saturday.

After the route of 42.2 km, Matias crossed the finish line with a time of 2:21:51, while Haitope secured first place in the ladies’ category in 2:45:00.

Matias said he improved on his previous best. “I am very happy. My personal best was two hours 23 minutes. It was a tough race, but I tried my best.”

According to the athlete, who says he started road running in 2015, he decided to push the pace harder when he reached the 30-km mark.

Jesaya Matheus came in second (2:22:51) and in third place was Jason Johannes (2:29:50).

Namibia’s three-time Olympic marathon runner Beata Naigambo, who crossed the finish line overall second in 2:53:53, said this marathon was part of her training.

“I am currently healing from an injury, and I decided to run at my own pace. It was a good race. It all depends on my injury; if I heal well, I can soon say yes to bigger running events.”

The third-placed woman was Indileni Mweshamekange with a time of 2:56:17.

Laurencia Prinzonsky, marketing and communications manager of Sanlam Namibia, said they had a record number of registrations, about 2,000 people.

“However, we had about 1,100 athletes on the road. We are grateful; it was a great marathon. We hope to have an even bigger and better Sanlam Coastal Marathon in 2025.”

She added that this year’s race featured a non-profit organization, the Operi and Sydney Child Foundation, which donated over 40 pairs of sneakers to runners in the marathon distance.

She said the eventual men’s 10 km and 21 km winners had received sneakers on Friday and managed to clinch the top positions. “We are grateful. Let’s support the organization, as it not only supports the Sanlam Coastal Marathon, but also other running events across the country.”

Prinzonsky confirmed that the 42-km overall winners’ prizes would include an all-expenses-paid trip to run the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in October.

“We are doing this not only because it is about fitness and health, but as Sanlam, we are ploughing back into the community. We want to bring out these athletes, so that they get noticed. These are the athletes that have the opportunity to represent Namibia abroad.

“I urge these aspiring athletes to continue taking part in various marathons, to get the required exposure and take it from there.”

Saturday’s top results:



21 Kilometres



Grandmaster women: 1 Christine Haupt (2:07:08), 2 Lydia Lehoho (2:19:11), 3 Marina Coetzee (2:23:45).

Junior women: 1 Nicole Groenewald (2:18:32), 2 Shiyelekeni Tulikemanya (2:19:09), 3 Paula Codina Rella (2:20:33).

Masters women: 1 Emilia Katekene Nambahu (2:03:09), 2 Anja Kreiner (2:09:02), 3 Martinette van Niekerk (2:11:58).

Veteran women: 1 Ottillie Aimwata (1:22:51), 2 Anna Amutoko (1:27:28), 3 Nicole Spangenberg (1:36:14).

Veteran men: 1 Simon Shipanga (1:15:54), 2 Sakaria Shifitoka (1:17:32), 3 Erich Goeieman (1:22:11).

Grandmaster men: 1 Ewald Ochs (2:12:42), 2 Chris Cronje (2:14:49), 3 Frank Fielding (2:19:20).

Junior men: 1 Lucas Challow (1:18:54), 2 Reginal Vanyana (1:27:29), 3 Wesley Haukongo (1:29:06).

Masters men: 1 Kristof Ndunga (1:05:17), 2 Gabriel Josh Braz (1:29:46), 3 Fabian Haufiku (1:54:28).

21 km overall top three women:

1 Lucia Andrek (1:22:19), 2 Ottillie Aimwata (1:22:51), 3 Anna Amutoko (1:27:28).

21 km overall top three men: 1 Tangeni Sakaria (1:15:11), 2 Lukas Joel (1:18:21), 3 Simon Shipangana (1:16:54).



42.2 kilometres marathon:



Veteran men: 1 Jason Johannes (2:29:50), 2 Paulus Vilho (2:31:50), 3 Mynhardt Kauanivi (2:32:42)

Grandmasters men: 1 Raimund Kintscher (3:55:36)

2 Achim Herma (4:56:54).

Masters men: 1 Johan Bronkhorst (3:49:53), 2 Jackson Hamwele (4:04:11), 3 Rabanus Shoopala (4:20:04)

Masters women: 1 Shani Erlank-Scholtz (3:58:49), 2 Birgit Hoffman (4:28:22), 3 Barbara Kittel (4:43:51).

Veteran women: 1 Beata Naigambo (2:53:53), 2 Harriet Knott (3:29:29), 3 Susana Campbell (3:54:09).

42.2 km overall top three women: 1 Lavinia Haitope (2:45:00), 2 Beata Naigambo (2:53:52), 3 Indileni Mweshamekange (2:56:17).

42.2 km overall top three men: 1 Matias Simon (2:21:51), 2 Jesaya Joleni Matheus (2:22:51), 3 Jason Johannes (2:29:50).