Hoeb wins first marathon of the year

MATHEW Hoeb of Windhoek Hochland Sport (WHS) Athletics Club won the first marathon of the year at Walvis Bay on Saturday.

Hoeb, who ran in the men’s open category, crossed the finish line in the Walvis Bay Marathon in two hours 51 minutes and 51 seconds and was followed by veteran runner Frank Fielding who recorded a time of 2:58:21sec. Another veteran, Robert de Klerk, finished in third place overall with a time of 3:09:42 over 42,2 kilometres.The half-marathon event of 21,1km was clinched by Nathanael Ipondoka followed by Bonifatius Lazarus and Danny Muukua in second and third places.Walter Akafingo was the fastest runner over 10km.The event was also the first official athletics event for 2004 and was run by 48 athletes who set off on the three distances.This was the seventh year that the Walvis Bay marathon has been sponsored by Walvis Bay Salt Refiners who also confirmed their involvement for next year.Organiser Frank Slabbert said the weather was cool but somewhat windy and less than ideal for running.He said there was a feeling among some runners that this event was staged a couple of weeks too early.He recommended that it be moved closer to the end of January for 2005.The next event at the coast will be the R”ssing Namibia Marathon Championship and 10km run at Swakopmund on Saturday, 28 February 2004.- NampaAnother veteran, Robert de Klerk, finished in third place overall with a time of 3:09:42 over 42,2 kilometres.The half-marathon event of 21,1km was clinched by Nathanael Ipondoka followed by Bonifatius Lazarus and Danny Muukua in second and third places.Walter Akafingo was the fastest runner over 10km.The event was also the first official athletics event for 2004 and was run by 48 athletes who set off on the three distances.This was the seventh year that the Walvis Bay marathon has been sponsored by Walvis Bay Salt Refiners who also confirmed their involvement for next year.Organiser Frank Slabbert said the weather was cool but somewhat windy and less than ideal for running.He said there was a feeling among some runners that this event was staged a couple of weeks too early.He recommended that it be moved closer to the end of January for 2005.The next event at the coast will be the R”ssing Namibia Marathon Championship and 10km run at Swakopmund on Saturday, 28 February 2004. – Nampa