NAMIBIAN road runners Helena Iipinge and Johannes Naitembu will fly-out tomorrow to compete in the Old Mutual Two Oceans half marathon in Cape Town.
The pair won the 2009 Old Mutual Victory Race Series, widely recognised as the largest road running event in Namibia, and subsequently qualified themselves to take part in the two oceans marathon that will be held on April 1 in Cape Town. Both athletes say they are in top shape and raring to go. This will be Iipinge’s second appearance at the two oceans after finishing eleventh in her maiden season at the acclaimed marathon competition in 2007. However the soft-spoken Naitembu will make his debut at this year’s event.’I am well prepared and will try my best to finish in the top five this year. The last time when I took part I was not ready for it,’ said Iipinge.’I have not run this race before so we will see how it turns out. But I am fit and ready and am going to try my best,’ Naitembu said.On Tuesday, the two athletes received N$18 383,50 from their sponsor Old Mutual. The sponsorship is inclusive of flights, accommodation, equipment and pocket money. Revonia Kahivere of Old Mutual Namibia said the company was delighted to sponsor the cream of the crop of Namibian road running. ‘Helena and Johannes are shining examples of the great talent which Namibia has and Old Mutual Namibia is proud to assist them in developing their natural talent further. I encourage you to dig deep to unlock all available and potential to cross the finish line in Cape Town,’ said KahivereIipinge will use the Two Oceans marathon as a warm-up for her participation in an international marathon race in North Korea on April 6 in an attempt to qualify for the Commonwealth Games later this year.The 21,1 km competition is considered a challenging event that attracts the best of local and international athletes.The half marathon will follow the same route as last year and is run under the rules of IAAF, Athletics South Africa (ASA) and Western Province Athletics (WPA). sheefeni@namibia.com.na
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