Rock grows and grows

The annual Rock Spitzkoppe Community Run and Mountain Bike Challenge, a highlight for runners, walkers and bikers,  took place last weekend. Over 400 individuals entered, as well as over 100 children from the local community bringing participant numbers to well over 500.
This is the fourth consecutive year that AREVA Resources Namibia has sponsored the event as part of its Corporate Social Investment programme, which is  focused on local communities.
Event organisers, Otb Sport, said they were very pleased with the turnout and that the Spitzkoppe landscape and setting, the camping, family and social environment make this event more than just a sport event.  Otb sport further commented that it was a pleasure to work with Rock n Rut, the Coastal Club, the Spitzkoope community and Areva who all contributed to the success of the event.  
The 21.1km run was won for the second consecutive year by Pinehas Embashu in a time of 1h14.  Pinehas is currently in top form after recently also winning the Telecom Windhoek City run and The Aquasplash XTrail. In second place was the veteran Henti Hough in a time of 1h31 and in third place Gareth Wood in a time of 1h36.  First female across the line was Ndeshimona Ekandjo in a time of 1h28. In second place was Adele de la Rey in a time of 1:44:16 and close behind her was Nadine Agnew in a time of 1:44:55.
The 70km MTB line-up was world class. Marc Bassingthwaighte, having just returned from the London Olympics, took third place in a time of 2:38:41, Three time Olympian, Mannie Heymans, took second position in a time of 2:36:20 and 15 year old Tristan de Lange caused a major surprise by winning the event in a great time of 2:36:16. The female 70km event was won by Irene Steyn with Antje Tietz second and Andra van Staden third.