Youth talent shines at RMB Off-Road Triathlon
The 2026 RMB Off-Road Triathlon delivered a day of exciting racing at Lake Oanob Resort near Rehoboth on Sunday, with challenging conditions, course records and impressive performances from Namibia’s emerging triathlon talent.
Hot weather and high humidity tested competitors across the swim, mountain bike and trail running sections, while close finishes highlighted the competitive depth across the Enduro, Sprint and Super Sprint distances.
Nathan Chase was among the standout performers, claiming the men’s Enduro title in 1 hour 54 minutes 14 seconds to set a new course record and improve his personal best.
“I really enjoyed the race. The humidity made the run tough. I also crossed paths with a herd of giraffes, which was an amazing sight,” Chase said.
Andrew Rowles finished second overall in 2:20:30 and won the veteran category, while Dave Dague completed the overall podium in 2:23:08.
In the women’s Enduro race, Benito Windisch claimed victory in 2:38:34. Ilona Sickel finished second in 2:50:35, followed by Cheryl Young in 3:13:59.
Young athletes shine in Sprint
The Sprint distance showcased the strength of the next generation, with Under-16 athletes Micah Chase and Fynn Middleton finishing first and second overall in the men’s race.
Micah claimed the title in 1:03:20, improving on his personal best from last year. Middleton finished second in 1:06:06, while Tristan Nell took third in 1:08:55.
Micah described the race as an enjoyable experience, highlighting the mountain bike section and the interesting run route.
Middleton, meanwhile, reflected on his progress since first participating in the event as part of a team.
“I used to think triathlon was only for really fit people, but three years ago I did my first RMB Triathlon as a cyclist in a team because I was not good at swimming. Last year I started doing triathlons properly,” he said.
“At the 2026 RMB I had a really good swim and was happy with my podium finish in the Sprint distance.”
The women’s Sprint race was equally competitive, with Kyra Marschall taking the overall victory in 1:15:46. Lillian Kibble finished second in 1:16:35, just 49 seconds behind, while Jana Mutschler completed the podium in 1:19:07.
Both Marschall and Kibble competed in the Under-16 category, underlining the promising young talent emerging in Namibian triathlon.
Marschall said the course offered a balance of accessible trails and technical sections, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and experienced athletes.
“The trails were not overly complicated but also had small sections that required technical skills, which made the event interesting for more experienced athletes, but easy enough for first-time triathletes,” she said.
She added that the event provided valuable preparation for future competitions, including the World Triathlon Junior Africa Cup in Kenya in November and the FNB Sandman Triathlon in Swakopmund in December.
Close finishes in Super Sprint
The Super Sprint produced some of the closest finishes of the day, particularly in the men’s competition.
Hendri Mutschler claimed victory in 34:10, with Kyle Middleton finishing just 21 seconds behind in 34:31. Tristan Büttner took third place in 34:42, only 11 seconds behind Middleton.
In the women’s race, Emma Brinkmann secured the overall title in 36:26. Mia Winter finished second in 45:38, followed by Hileni Rijnen in 46:05.
The shorter distance once again provided an opportunity for athletes to experience off-road triathlon while competing for podium positions.
With a new course record, personal bests and strong performances from young competitors, the 2026 RMB Off-Road Triathlon reinforced its role in providing a platform for athletes to develop their skills and gain valuable racing experience.
Hosted by OTB Sport and supported by RMB, the event continues to bring together athletes of different ages and abilities while contributing to the growth of triathlon in Namibia.
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