Simon, Armas pocket Bachmus Coastal Marathon titles

Road running
The Bachmus Coastal Marathon saw about 1 700 participants in the 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km races.
Leandrea mouers
  • 11 Hours Ago
Matias Simon and former Olympic runner Alina Armas were the big winners of the day at the Bachmus Coastal Marathon, hosted on Saturday in Walvis Bay.

The 42 km race route started off in Swakopmund at the Vineta Sports Stadium, followed the B2 road, and finished at Walvis Bay Private School.

Matias Simon, who managed to complete the distance in two hours, 14 minutes and 57 seconds, said it was a very tough race.

“I enjoyed it and I am very happy to be the winner. Thank you to the organisers for this – to showcase our talent.”

He added that his main purpose was to win.

In second place was Sakaria Tangeni with a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 54 seconds, while Enock Haufiku came in third with a time of two hours, 20 minutes and 30 seconds.

Alina Armas was the first woman across the finish line in the 42 km race, completing it in two hours, 54 minutes and 33 seconds. After the race, Armas said the experience was “great.”

Armas was followed by former three-time Olympic runner Beata Naigombe in two hours, 58 minutes and 48 seconds, and Anna Amutoko in three hours, 23 minutes and 10 seconds. The same three athletes secured the first, second, and third positions in the veterans category.

Half-marathon

In the 21 km race, Rainhold Tomas crossed the finish line first in the men’s open division with an impressive time of one hour, five minutes and 29 seconds.

Tomas described the race as good, adding: “Usually I compete in the 42 km, but I recently picked up an injury, so I competed in the half-marathon this time. Next up you will see me at the Rössing Marathon.”

He was closely followed by Ndahangwanasho (Kornelius) Nghilyeendele with a time of one hour, five minutes and 48 seconds. Just two minutes later, Stefanus Kaudinge finished third in one hour, seven minutes and 11 seconds.

In the women’s category, Ndahambelela Shelikita took first place with a time of one hour, 31 minutes and 31 seconds. She was followed by Danielle Pretorius in one hour, 33 minutes and 59 seconds, while Nicole Spangenberg secured third place in one hour, 34 minutes and 48 seconds.

This year’s marathon saw about the most participants yet – 1 700 – across the various distances and categories.