Iita beats Lucketz in Victory Race

LONG-distance supremo Reihhold Iita narrowly beat his main rival Lucketz Swartbooi into second place, with only a minute separating them in the second-last leg of the prestigious 21-km Victory Races that took place at Keetmanshoop on Saturday.

Iita clocked one hour, seven minutes and nine seconds for the winning spot, while Swartbooi was home in one hour, seven minutes and 50 seconds. Thomas David sprinted home in one hour, nine minutes 31 seconds to take the third place.This puts a definite twist on the series prize of N$10 000, which is still up for grabs, with Swartbooi leading by a narrow margin after having achieved one hour, three minutes in Oshakati.Willem Rooi seems to be out of the running with an injury, but still has seven days to rehabilitate and make the Windhoek Victory Race on September 24 a memorable occasion.Hilaria Johannes (one hour, 19 minutes, eight seconds) decimated the opposition by beating nearest rival, Helena Iipinge (one hour, 25 minutes, 28 seconds), by a full five minutes.Racher Akukothela had to be happy with third position in one hour, 33 minutes and 12 seconds.Champion runner Beate Naigambo is still struggling to get back into stride and withdrew from the event.Over 670 participants took part and the race was characterised by a good spirit and discipline.Thomas David sprinted home in one hour, nine minutes 31 seconds to take the third place.This puts a definite twist on the series prize of N$10 000, which is still up for grabs, with Swartbooi leading by a narrow margin after having achieved one hour, three minutes in Oshakati.Willem Rooi seems to be out of the running with an injury, but still has seven days to rehabilitate and make the Windhoek Victory Race on September 24 a memorable occasion.Hilaria Johannes (one hour, 19 minutes, eight seconds) decimated the opposition by beating nearest rival, Helena Iipinge (one hour, 25 minutes, 28 seconds), by a full five minutes.Racher Akukothela had to be happy with third position in one hour, 33 minutes and 12 seconds.Champion runner Beate Naigambo is still struggling to get back into stride and withdrew from the event.Over 670 participants took part and the race was characterised by a good spirit and discipline.