Date set for Rock Spitzkoppe challenge
The Rock Spitzkoppe Community Run and Mountain Bike Challenge is popular among the local members of the !Gaingu Conservancy at Spitzkoppe. Potential athletes get training from Erich Goeieman, Namibian marathon athlete, before participation in marathons country wide. Ingrid Laporte as co-member of Team Damarana won the relay run of 10.5 km at The Rock 2011.
For the fourth consecutive year, AREVA Resources Namibia will sponsor this event as part of its Corporate Social Investment programme focused on communities.
The Rock event is a foot and cycle race organised by OTB Sport and respectively presented by the Windhoek Harriers and Rock & Rut Mountain Bike Club. This recreational outdoor experience for all age groups has two aims: first to benefit the local community economically and to celebrate the natural beauty of Namibia’s famous Spitzkoppe and the surrounding gravel plains.
“Sport and culture remains a responsibility towards communities for the AREVA group. Trekkopje Mine owned by AREVA Resources Namibia is neighbouring the Spitzkoppe community. We are committed to support communities in which we operate. What better opportunity to contribute via an investment as The Rock event to enhance the local social and economic environment,” says Sugnet Smit, Communications Specialist.
Online entries are open at www.otbsport.com at N$120 per person until 04 September 2012. The foot races start and finish at the Spitzkoppe Community campsite entrance in an anti-clockwise direction around the Pontoks and Grosse Spitzkoppe massifs. Cyclists will follow a separate route through the Spitzkoppe village.
The race route has a mild ascending gradient from East to West and is mostly hard underfoot, although sandy patches may occur. Registration occurs at the organisers tent at the campsites’ entrance gate next to the Spitzkoppe town as from Friday 16h00.
At registration, all participants that have paid their race entry fee will receive a race number, a goody bag and a t-shirt. Food and drinks will be on sale as from Friday evening. A prize giving function will be held after the races.
Starting time for the walk is 06h30 and 07h00 for the running. Cut-off time for the walk is 3 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours for both the 21.1 km run and relay run (2 x 10 km). Cycling will start at 07h30. Cut-off time for the 35 km is 2 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours 30 minutes for the 70 km run cycle event.
For camping or accommodation, bookings can be done via [email protected] or [email protected]. Mobile toilets are available during the race. Everyone is welcome.
As a major player in the energy sector, AREVA has a deliberate social responsibility not only to our direct stakeholders, but to the public at large.
