Oshakati to host biggest fun day

AT least 1 500 runners and walkers are expected to compete at the first Style/Beaver Canoe Fun Day which is planned for Oshakati on September 29, organiser Quinton-Steele Botes said yesterday.

The event has been sponsored to the tune of N$50 000 by Style and Beaver Canoe, which are fashion retailers. Botes said the event will consist of a fun walk and run over 5 km each, and there will also be a 10-km run.Botes said it will be the biggest fun event in the North this year and it promises to attract hundreds of children and adults in the Oshana Region.Style regional manager Johan Theron said since the companies draw the biggest part of their income from the Oshana Region, they decided to invest in the community by organising a fun day.He said the Oshakati Senior Secondary School has confirmed participation and at least 500 children will compete, while another school from the same area has also expressed interest.Theron said there will be prizes for the individual winners, the schools and the some money will also be given to charity organisations.Two of Namibia’s long-distance runners, Helena Ipinge and Frans Hosea, are expected to compete at the event, while more elite athletes might be involved.There will be appearance fees for the elite athletes, while the first 1 000 competitors will each receive a T-shirt.Botes said Namibian strongman Andre du Preez will also give demonstrations at the event.Du Preez is the fourth strongest man on the African continent.Coca-Cola will be the official soft-drink supplier at the event.VICTORY RACES Meanwhile, Botes announced that the first leg of the Old Mutual Victory Races will kick off in Oshakati on Saturday at the Okatana Combined School.The races consist of three legs, with the second to be decided in Swakopmund, while the final leg is set for Windhoek.Old Mutual has pumped N$236 800 into the hosting of the events and a further N$13 000 for prize money.The male and female winners of the event after the three legs will walk away with N$10 000 each, while the runners-up will receive N$5 000 each.The third-place finishers will receive N$2 500, and scholarships worth N$20 000 will be granted to two junior competitors.The Victory Races have been a popular attraction over the years and this year Botes believes that there will be more competitors.The next race will be held in Swakopmund on September 15, while the last leg is scheduled for Windhoek on September 29, starting at the Jan Moehr High School.Also on September 21, the Nedbank Fish River Marathon will be held in the South, with the addition of a cycling leg this year.The prize money on offer will be N$50 000, sponsored by Nedbank.Botes also announced that the Khomas Athletics Region will hold a maximum of eight track and field events for 2008.He said the Coca-Cola Club Championships will be split in two legs to enable more competitors to vie for honours.Botes said the event will consist of a fun walk and run over 5 km each, and there will also be a 10-km run.Botes said it will be the biggest fun event in the North this year and it promises to attract hundreds of children and adults in the Oshana Region.Style regional manager Johan Theron said since the companies draw the biggest part of their income from the Oshana Region, they decided to invest in the community by organising a fun day.He said the Oshakati Senior Secondary School has confirmed participation and at least 500 children will compete, while another school from the same area has also expressed interest.Theron said there will be prizes for the individual winners, the schools and the some money will also be given to charity organisations.Two of Namibia’s long-distance runners, Helena Ipinge and Frans Hosea, are expected to compete at the event, while more elite athletes might be involved.There will be appearance fees for the elite athletes, while the first 1 000 competitors will each receive a T-shirt.Botes said Namibian strongman Andre du Preez will also give demonstrations at the event.Du Preez is the fourth strongest man on the African continent.Coca-Cola will be the official soft-drink supplier at the event.VICTORY RACES Meanwhile, Botes announced that the first leg of the Old Mutual Victory Races will kick off in Oshakati on Saturday at the Okatana Combined School.The races consist of three legs, with the second to be decided in Swakopmund, while the final leg is set for Windhoek.Old Mutual has pumped N$236 800 into the hosting of the events and a further N$13 000 for prize money.The male and female winners of the event after the three legs will walk away with N$10 000 each, while the runners-up will receive N$5 000 each.The third-place finishers will receive N$2 500, and scholarships worth N$20 000 will be granted to two junior competitors.The Victory Races have been a popular attraction over the years and this year Botes believes that there will be more competitors.The next race will be held in Swakopmund on September 15, while the last leg is scheduled for Windhoek on September 29, starting at the Jan Moehr High School.Also on September 21, the Nedbank Fish River Marathon will be held in the South, with the addition of a cycling leg this year.The prize money on offer will be N$50 000, sponsored by Nedbank.Botes also announced that the Khomas Athletics Region will hold a maximum of eight track and field events for 2008.He said the Coca-Cola Club Championships will be split in two legs to enable more competitors to vie for honours.