On 15 February 2022, the Regional Sport Officer of Erongo, Mr. Bethold Karumendu invited the Namibian Sport Commission and all Electronic and Print Media to the official launch of the up-coming SPAR Gondwana Moon Valley Marathon.
SPAR Gondwana Moon Valley Marathon launch 1 – From left to right: Shedeen Eimbeck (SPAR Namibia), Steny Watermeyer (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Jo-Ann Manuel (Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Development), Bethold Karumendu (Regional Sport Officer of Erongo), Francois Lotter (SPAR Namibia) and Charly Schoeman (Gondwana Collection Namibia). Photo: The Namibian
The event is the first edition of its kind and is set to take place on Saturday, 19 March 2022 in Swakopmund. The marathon registration is facilitated by PayToday, which was officially opened to the public on 15 February at 12pm. The media launch took place at the Namibia Sports Commission, where both teams of Gondwana Collection Namibia and SPAR Namibia presented this initiative and shared all details of the event.
Mr. Karumendu opened the launch by highlighting the importance of hosting the Moon Valley Marathon, and its importance for sports development in Namibia, especially with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Furthermore, Francois Lotter, Retail Operation Manager of SPAR Namibia extended his appreciation to Gondwana Collection Namibia, expressing his excitement to welcome more international guests back to Namibia and developing the marathon to grow into an annual series. The SPAR Namibia agreed to be a sponsor for the Moon Valley Marathon, by supporting the event with the supply and organisation of waterpoints, prizes and event organization guidance.
Finally, Steny Watermeyer, Direct Sales Manager of Gondwana Collection Namibia, stated that the marathon will be a fun and sustainable event, with the purpose of unifying Namibian people, after the hosting of virtual running events for the last two years due to the pandemic. She further provided clarification on the three distinct routes for marathon categories, as well as how the registration and online payment functions. All the information, the registration portal, in addition to terms and conditions, are on the Gondwana Collection Namibia website.
The pre-race registration will take place at The Delight Swakopmund on 18 March for all registered runners. Prior to that, another media launch will be held on 15 March to disclose further information regarding the prize categories that are up for grabs for the fastest runners per category.
A thank you has been extended to SPAR Namibia, OSH-Med International, Two Beards Coffee, Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Municipality of Swakopmund and Mr. Karumendu for their support.
The Deputy Director of Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Development, Jo-Ann Manuel concluded this launch with fitting words, “Namibia is moving to modern times and it is time to take running to real roads again. It is an opportunity for the Namibian Government to provide an opportunity to Namibian sports, and an opportunity for Namibian businesses to practice their social responsibility.”
For detailed information about the SPAR Gondwana Moon Valley Marathon please click here.