Seibeb, Steyn triumph at MTB Challenge

Raul Costa Seibeb and Irene Steyn were in a class of their own as they walked away with the overall victories in the elite men’s and women’s full marathon (70 kilometres) during the Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge last weekend. The race through the Aus Mountains in southern Namibia, marking the beginning of this year’s KIA MTB series, was spread out over two days. The event was sponsored by Standard Bank, Kia Namibia, Maerua SuperSpar and Gondwana Collection. Nearly 100 cyclists from across the country took part. During the first race day on Saturday, Seibeb, who had some great success since the beginning of the season, came in first when he clocked 3:35:22. Young Herbert Peters followed a good distance behind (3:41:25). On Sunday, Seibeb repeated his near perfect performance, clocking in at 3:35:11. With a combined time of 7:10:33 hours, Seibeb celebrated another win in 2015. Peters had to settle for second in a total time of 7:19:57. In the women’s division, Steyn was capable of an even more impressive victory. She already led the field (4:19:43) with a nearly 40 minute advantage on second-placed Hester Prins (4:59:00) after day one. The following day, Steyn continued where she left of, finishing the gruelling 70 km in 4:20:36 giving her a total of 7:54:50. Prins eventually held on to the second overall place (9:57:10). The sub-veteran men’s class was won by Philip Steyn (7:54:50), while Heino Windisch (8:06:19) and Heino Boois (10:57:32) had to settle for second and third place respectively. Ian Grassow was the top rider in the men’s veteran class with 8:10:40, securing the first place. Hilko Marschall (9:21:44) came in second and Steve Prinsloo (9:41:56) in third. In other action, the juniors also went head-to-head. Armin Schonmarz won the junior men’s half marathon in 3:50:37. Alexander Miller followed in second (4:11:36) and Thoms Miller in third (4:30:25). Meanwhile, Anke Janik was victorious in the junior women’s race. She clocked in at 5:12:31 after the two days, leaving Lara Winterbach (5:35:37) and Desiree Erwig (6:17:17) behind her. Overview of other results: Master men (Full marathon): 1. Eckard Waldschmidt 2. Herklaas Viljoen 3. Frank Snyman Rhino men (Full marathon): 1. Sven Tegethoff 2. Volker Engling 3. Arne Stier Elite men (Half marathon): 1. Timon Kohli 2. Ben Saayman 3. Matheus Simon Sub-Veteran men (Half marathon): 1. Haverinus Nakale 2. Alejandro Martinez 3. Bastian Huster Sub-Veteran women (Half marathon): 1. Benita Kasch 2. Theresia van Zyl 3. Beverly Rhoman Veteran men (Half marathon): 1. Mike Swanepoel 2. Christo du Raan 3. Jeanne Lowe Veteran women (Half marathon): 1. Elanor Grassow 2. Stephanie Faul 3. Aletti Lowe Master men (Half marathon): 1. Kai Nolte 2. John Faul 3. Giancarlo Monteforte Master women (Half marathon): 1. Kerstin Klein 2. Christa Mulder 3. Carolin Janik Rhino men (Half marathon): 1. Robin Holzle 2 Karl-Heinz Mulder 3. Gernot Heger Juvenile Boys (Half marathon): 1. Cobus Lowe WINDHOEK-PROACTIVE