The Rössing Namibia Marathon Championship, organised by Swakop Striders, will again take place for the 15th consecutive year in Swakopmund on Saturday, 25 February 2006.

The winner of the event will be crowned the Namibia National Marathon Champion for 2006.

This is the very last race where aspirant Two Oceans and Comrades runners can qualify for these South African events. Possible selection for Namibia could hinge on a good performance in the Rössing Namibia Marathon Championship.

The 10km Run / Walk will again be a popular race and judging by last year’s event, a good field can be expected. The 10km is not only for regular runners / walkers who do not want to participate in the full marathon, but is open to everyone who wants to run or walk the shorter distance.

All finishers will receive a medal.

The starting point is again at the parking area below Café Anton, next to the Swakopmund Tennis Club courts at the back of the Swakopmund Museum.

Entries will be taken at the starting point on Friday, 24 February from 18:00 to 21:00 and from 06:30 on the day of the event. Entry fees are N$25 for the marathon and N$15 for the 10km race.

Runners in the marathon will set off from the starting point below Café Anton at 07:00 together with the 10km

runners. Both the marathon and the 10km run / walk will follow the same route along Am Zoll, Sudstrand, Rhode

Allee and out on the road to Henties Bay and back with the finish at the same place where the race started.

Refreshment stations will be set up approximately three kilometres apart and there will be sufficient marshals along the route to see to the safety of runners. Medical services will be provided along the route and at the finish.

It is not yet known whether last year’s winners will return to defend their titles this year, but with the increase in enthusiasm for road running in Namibia, the event would certainly be an exiting one. The winners of the event in 2005 were Salomo David in a time of 2:22:28 and Beata Naigambo in a time of 3:04:22.

For the fifth year a Rössing 10km Team event will be held for employees. The Rössing team event starts with the main race at 07:00.

In addition a 5km Charity Walk for the Cancer Association, starting at 09:00 (entry at 08:30), will be hosted for the fourth year and is open for young and old. The entry fee is N$10 per walker with the proceeds going to the Cancer Association of Namibia.

For further information please contact Frank Slabbert at tel. 064 405788 (h) or cell 081 240 3383 or Alwyn Lubbe at tel. (064) 520 2382 or cell 081 122 5201.

The Rössing Marathon started in 1987 and has seen many well-known Namibian athletes emerging. To name a few are Luketz Swartbooi (the record holder at 2:11:23), Frank Kayele, Moses Maasdorp, Fritz Awoseb, Joseph Tjitinga and Johannes Gawaxab.

Rössing introduced the 10km Run / Walk in 1997 for the first time and it is turning out to be a very popular event.

The 5km Charity Walk started in 2003 and is expected to grow significantly every year with many participants out

for a easy walk towards a good cause and a healthy lifestyle.

1992 Luketz Swartbooi 2:11:23

1993 Aaron Shipanga 2:28:23

1994 Fritz Awoseb 2:17:05

1995 Moses Maasdorp 2:25:32

1996 Alex Cloete 2:26:44

1997 Joseph Tjitunga 2:19:06

1998 Johannes Gawaxab 2:29:48

1999 Luketz Swartbooi 2:20:44

2000 Tobias Hiskia 2:28:04

2001 Salomo David 2:28:29

2002 Tuhafeni Petrus 2:29:08

2003 Robert Kaxaxuena 2:26:20

2004 Salomo David 2:29:04

2005 Salomo David 2.22.28