Haitope continues dominance in Victory Races

Namibia’s fast-rising long-distance athlete Lavinia Haitope continued her dominance in the Old Mutual Victory Races when she won the latest leg, which was staged in Swakopmund. Haitope, who is also the defending Victory Races champion, had won the first leg of the competition in Oshakati on June 14 and followed that up with another win in Swakopmund last Saturday. She was followed home by Alina Armas, who was a good 46 seconds behind with Haitope was recording a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 5 seconds in first place. Haitope’s feat of winning back-to-back Victory Races was matched by Uuveni-Nawa Kuungongelwa, who clocked 1:05'34 on his way to claiming first place in the men’s elite division of the same event. Kuungongelwa also took first place at the Oshakati race. The race had a total of 994 participants in many categories, which included one for physically challenged athletes. The organisers of the event dedicated the race to the late sport consultant Quinton-Steele Botes. “We commemorate and salute the late Quinton-Steele Botes as the first race director, his successful management thereof during the past 14 years. His visible passion for sports combined with his genuine love for people, was the driving force behind his ability to enthusiastically cheer on communities across the country to experience the sense of achievement offered through sport,” read a statement from Old Mutual. The next race takes place on July 12 at the Keetmanshoop Stadium. Full results 21km 15-19: Female Category 1st place Rondegudus Gustaf 1:41'12 2nd Place Shinomwene Shilongo 1:41'13 3rd Place Ndamonoganda Kamhule 1:42'11 15-19: Male Category 1st Place Kornelius Nghiluuei 1:09'26 2nd Place Tangeni Sakaria 1:10'42 3rd Place Lazarus Nghipandula 1:10'42 20-39: Female Category 1st Place Lavinia Haitope 1:14'05 2nd Place Alina Armas 1:14'51 3rd Place Anna Amutoko 1:14'58 20-39: Male Category 1st Place Uuveni-Nawa Kuungongelwa 1:05'34 2nd Place Wendelinus Amesho 1:06'13 3rd Place Simon Shipingana 1:06'15 40 Plus: Female Category 1st Place Sieglinde !Gontes 1:42'37 2nd Place Mini Linde 1:47'26 3rd Place Estelle Bailey 1:47'36 40 Plus: Male Category 1st Place Jeroboam Amunyoko 1:14'15 2nd Place Mathias Mutota 1:14'59 3rd Place Thomas Angula 1:17'27 WINDHOEK-SPORT REPORTER