Vicki runs the race of her life in NY

NAMIBIA’S Vicki Erenstein Ya Toivo was among 37 000 runners who crossed the finish line of the greatest race in the world – the New York City Marathon – on Sunday.

She completed the gruelling 42,2 kilometres in just over seven hours in 36 269th position. In an e-mail to The Namibian, Ya Toivo said: “I felt that I succeeded in all ways! However, I would prefer to wait to discuss this when I get back.”Ya Toivo took part in the race to raise funds for the Okaheke kindergarten in northern Namibia.She said the kindergarten needed some facilities, as there are none for either the teachers or the pre-schoolers.The 57-year-old earlier said she had a lifelong dream of taking part in the race.Ya Toivo was not the only Namibian in the race.Johannes Dunweg (41), who was also registered as a Namibian, clocked five hours and 22 seconds, coming home in position number 29 325.The race is open to all ages as well as disabled athletes.The New York City Marathon website reports that the performance of the day was run by the Frenchwoman turned US citizen Ginette Bedard, who is 72 years of age.She ran a superb 3:46:34.”At my age we can just hope, not expect,” she said.She ran beyond her own hopes and past anyone’s expectations.Ya Toivo said before departing for New York that she had never completed a 42-kilometre race.She only trained for 10 months for the race.But she believed in her abilities and said she had “nothing to lose”.The longest distance Ya Toivo ran was 32 km around Windhoek.One of her ideas is to encourage more Namibians to consider taking part in the race to raise funds for the needy.Ya Toivo, who was accompanied by her husband and former Namibian minister, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, is expected back later this week to reveal the good, the bad and the hardships of the race.In an e-mail to The Namibian, Ya Toivo said: “I felt that I succeeded in all ways! However, I would prefer to wait to discuss this when I get back.”Ya Toivo took part in the race to raise funds for the Okaheke kindergarten in northern Namibia.She said the kindergarten needed some facilities, as there are none for either the teachers or the pre-schoolers.The 57-year-old earlier said she had a lifelong dream of taking part in the race.Ya Toivo was not the only Namibian in the race.Johannes Dunweg (41), who was also registered as a Namibian, clocked five hours and 22 seconds, coming home in position number 29 325.The race is open to all ages as well as disabled athletes.The New York City Marathon website reports that the performance of the day was run by the Frenchwoman turned US citizen Ginette Bedard, who is 72 years of age.She ran a superb 3:46:34.”At my age we can just hope, not expect,” she said.She ran beyond her own hopes and past anyone’s expectations.Ya Toivo said before departing for New York that she had never completed a 42-kilometre race.She only trained for 10 months for the race.But she believed in her abilities and said she had “nothing to lose”. The longest distance Ya Toivo ran was 32 km around Windhoek.One of her ideas is to encourage more Namibians to consider taking part in the race to raise funds for the needy.Ya Toivo, who was accompanied by her husband and former Namibian minister, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, is expected back later this week to reveal the good, the bad and the hardships of the race.