Marathon race claims life in Ohangwena

OHANGWENA – The annual Gabriel Simon Shokonawa Marathon ended on a sad note after a cyclist was killed by a car on Saturday.

One of the race organisers, January Kamati, crashed into Fernando Vataleni Molongela, who was cycling on the main road to Ohangwena in the northern town of Helao Nafidi. The accident took place while a number of long-distance athletes were running a marathon between Indangungu and Ohangwena.The Ohangwena Police have opened a docket of culpable homicide.SHIKONAWA COLLAPSESOne of the runners, Gabriel Simon Shokonawa, whom the competition is named after, collapsed just five kilometres from the finish line.Defending champion Shokonawa fell just after he was overtaken by the eventual winner of the race, Simon Shigwedha from the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), and the runner-up, Leonard Nampala from Luederitz.The event was attended by the Queen of Oukwanyama, Mwadinomho yaChristian yaNelumbu, Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Deputy Minister Pohamba Shifeta and Safety and Security Deputy Minister Gabes Shihepo.Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation Hadino Hishongwa, who is the patron of the race, also attended the event.- NampaThe accident took place while a number of long-distance athletes were running a marathon between Indangungu and Ohangwena.The Ohangwena Police have opened a docket of culpable homicide. SHIKONAWA COLLAPSES One of the runners, Gabriel Simon Shokonawa, whom the competition is named after, collapsed just five kilometres from the finish line.Defending champion Shokonawa fell just after he was overtaken by the eventual winner of the race, Simon Shigwedha from the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), and the runner-up, Leonard Nampala from Luederitz.The event was attended by the Queen of Oukwanyama, Mwadinomho yaChristian yaNelumbu, Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Deputy Minister Pohamba Shifeta and Safety and Security Deputy Minister Gabes Shihepo.Former Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation Hadino Hishongwa, who is the patron of the race, also attended the event.- Nampa