Iita in first marathon win

REINHOLD Iita laboured to his first marathon win in his career as a long-distance runner when he grabbed the Lucky Star Pilchard race ahead of closest rival Robert Kaxuxwena at the coast on Saturday.

The long-distance ace, who had never competed in a marathon before, clocked 2 hours, 26 minutes and 10 seconds in the category for senior men, just a minute ahead of Kaxuxwena, who stayed close to him throughout the race. Iita, who is currently the top runner over the 10 km and 21 km distances, took home N$3 500 for his efforts.In third place was Simon Shigweda, who made it in 2 hours and 28 minutes.The hot favourite to win the race, Salomo David, only managed fourth place in a race that was held under misty conditions with a slight headwind facing the runners.In the race for senior women, Beata Naigambo captured the title in the absence of her biggest rival, Hilaria Johannes, who was competing in a race in South Africa.Naigambo battled her way to victory ahead of Racher Akukuthela in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 27 seconds.Akukuthela also had a tough race, at times reducing speed, but managed to complete the race by clocking 3 hours and 11 minutes.United States Peace Corps volunteer Beth Phillips came third in 3 hours and 34 minutes.Bill Jooste won the grand master title, while the masters men’s crown went to Uwe Jorzick.The veteran women’s section belonged to Sigliende Gontes, while Tobias Eliazer took the veteran men’s title.The race also had a 10 km relay for schools, of which the junior section was won by St Mathias Primary, while Suiderlig Secondary were tops in the senior section.In the 10 km race, Grace Shimaneni was the first woman home after covering the distance in 42,20 minutes, while Daniel Nghipandurwa won the men’s race in 32 minutes.The open race for women was won by Johanna Andreas, while T David was the winner for men in the same division.The race attracted over a hundred runners.Iita, who is currently the top runner over the 10 km and 21 km distances, took home N$3 500 for his efforts.In third place was Simon Shigweda, who made it in 2 hours and 28 minutes.The hot favourite to win the race, Salomo David, only managed fourth place in a race that was held under misty conditions with a slight headwind facing the runners.In the race for senior women, Beata Naigambo captured the title in the absence of her biggest rival, Hilaria Johannes, who was competing in a race in South Africa.Naigambo battled her way to victory ahead of Racher Akukuthela in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 27 seconds.Akukuthela also had a tough race, at times reducing speed, but managed to complete the race by clocking 3 hours and 11 minutes.United States Peace Corps volunteer Beth Phillips came third in 3 hours and 34 minutes.Bill Jooste won the grand master title, while the masters men’s crown went to Uwe Jorzick.The veteran women’s section belonged to Sigliende Gontes, while Tobias Eliazer took the veteran men’s title.The race also had a 10 km relay for schools, of which the junior section was won by St Mathias Primary, while Suiderlig Secondary were tops in the senior section.In the 10 km race, Grace Shimaneni was the first woman home after covering the distance in 42,20 minutes, while Daniel Nghipandurwa won the men’s race in 32 minutes.The open race for women was won by Johanna Andreas, while T David was the winner for men in the same division.The race attracted over a hundred runners.