Rainhold, Armas triumphant at Old Mutual Victory Race
WINDHOEK – Tomas Hilifa Rainhold and Alina Armas dominated performance to win the last leg of the 2019 half marathon (21 km) Old Mutual Victory Race held in Windhoek on Saturday.
The event also had 5-kilometre and 10-km races with over 1 000 participants. In the men category, Rainhold broke away from the leading peloton after the 10km mark and led until the end, finishing in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 20 seconds (01:11:20).
He was followed home by Simon Paulus, who came second in a time of 01:12:22. In third place was Simon Shipangana, who crossed the finishing line in a time of 01:14:57.
In the women category, Armas broke away from the leading group after just seven kilometres to take the lead, which she never relinquished until the end in a time of 01:22:59. She was followed by Anna Amutoko, who finished the race in a time of 01:27:09. Third place went to Shivomwene Shilongo, who clocked 01:29:58.
Speaking after the race, Rainhold said the race was tough but he had prepared for it well. “I am preparing for the World championships, and this is a half marathon so it was quite easy, especially after 10 kilometres where I left everyone behind. I enjoyed it a lot and the hills did not really give me any challenge,” he added.
Armas said she is used to the route, hence she also did not find it challenging at all. “I am happy with my performance. I did not feel any challenge. My coach helped me prepare for this race.”
The top three winners in both categories of the 21km race received N$8 000, N$5 000 and N$3 000 while those in the 10km race received N$3 000, N$2 000 and N$1 000. The top three in the 5km race received N$1 000 for the winner, N$750 for the secondplaced runner and N$500 for the third-placed athlete.