Kondjashili wins Erongo Powersave Street Mile

The 25-year-old Nampol runner won the closely contested race, beating a strong field of over 70 athletes in the scorching heat of Omaruru.

Sylvester Kuku from Botswana came second, two seconds behind Kondjashili in a time of four minutes and 12 seconds, while Reinhold Tomas from the Namibia Correctional Services was third in a time of four minutes and 13 seconds.

Race course record holder Mynhardt Kauanivi was fourth after finishing in a time of four minutes and 16 seconds, 10 seconds slower than his record time of four minutes and six seconds set in 2013.

Speaking to Nampa soon after the race, Kondjashili said he ran a good race in spite of the weather conditions.

“It was too hot on the track, but I managed to perform well. There were strong runners with the Batswana giving a good account of themselves,” he said.

He added that he stuck to his game plan of winning the race comfortably as opposed to attempting to break the course record.

“If they want us to break records, they must put incentives on the table to motivate the athletes. I can break the record, but what will I get?” asked the runner.

The victory marks Kondjashili's seventh triumph of 2017 and places him as the favourite to win the Old Mutual Victory race in Windhoek next week.

In the senior women's competition, last year's silver medallist, Lavinia Haitope from NamPol, won the 2017 race in a time of five minutes and three seconds.

She was followed by her teammate Salmi Nduviteko, who clocked five minutes and 10 seconds, while Botswana's Mautumelo Mosadikwena came third in a time of five minutes and 22 seconds.

Haitope said the race was easy for her as she was preparing for the Victory Races.

“I used this race as a time trial for my next race. I usually struggle with my sprint finishing, but this race gave me a chance to work on that and I think I did well,” she said.

This year's Erongo Powersave Street Mile race, which covers a distance of 1.6 kilometres, attracted over 1 200 participants.

Below are the final results of the race.



Senior Men (20-39 years)

1. Gold: Kefas Kondjashili – NamPol - 4:10

2. Silver: Sylvester Kuku – Botswana - 4:12

3. Bronze: Reinhold Tomas – Hardap - 4:13



Senior Women (20-39 years)

1. Gold: Lavinia Haitope – NamPol - 5:03

2. Silver: – Salmi Nduviteko NamPol - 5:10

3. Bronze: – Mautumelo Mosadikwena - Botswana - 5:22

Junior Men (15-19 years)

1. Gold: Bogapi Alaster - Botswana - 4:42

2. Silver: David Dam – Omaruru - 4:29

3. Bronze: Thabo Metseyabugue - Botswana - 4:39

Junior Women (15-19 years)

1. Gold: Ndinelao Ndumeni – Ohangwena - 5:23

2. Silver: Elizabeth Shivute – Oshikoto - 5:34

3. Bronze Tuuliki Angala – Oshana - 5:36

Veteran Men (40-49 years)

1. Gold: - Oskar Komeya - NDF - 4:32

2. Silver: Gabriel Shimi - Nampol - 4:50

3. Bronze: Pinehas Embashu – NDF – 4:44

Veteran Women (40-49 years)

1. Gold: Sieglinde Gontes - Erongo - 6:31

2. Silver: Racheal Akukothela – NDF-AC - 7:01

3. Bronze: Elfriede Naobes - Usakos - 9:25

Masters Men (50+)

1. Gold: Kristof Ndunga - Khomas - 5:14

2. Silver: Jackson Amweele - Walvish - 6:08

3. Bronze: George Mukuahima – Omaheke - 8:17

Masters Women (50+)

1. Gold: N.N. Aindongo – Khomas - 9:47

2. Silver: Christophine Moses - Erongo - 12:21

3. Bronze: Biabel Kaninganazo – Erongo - 15:41

Primary Boys (10-13 years)

1. Gold: Moses Tjivinde - Oshikoto – 5:16

2. Silver: – Filip Sisende - Kavango - 5:05

3. Bronze: Donavan Katjimune – Karas - 5:21

Primary Girls (10-13 years)

1. Gold: Vita Ndjembo- Kavango - 5:54

2. Silver: Toini Shiimi – Oshana - 5:57

3. Bronze: Tunicky Mwashidifa - Erongo - 6:05