Namibian duo shine at Botswana Half Marathon

Namibian distance runners Lavinia Haitope and Matias Simon delivered impressive performances at the Botswana Life Classic Run National Half Marathon in Gaborone on Sunday, with both athletes securing podium finishes in the prestigious 21.1km race.

Haitope produced a dominant run to claim victory in the women's half marathon, earning P26 500 (approximately N$31 974) in prize money, while Simon crossed the line second in the men's race to pocket P21 500 (approximately N$25 941).

The pair represented Namibia after earning the opportunity through their victories at the 2026 Sanlam Allianz Coastal Marathon, where they won the men's and women's 21.1km titles respectively.

Their participation in Botswana formed part of Sanlam Allianz's initiative to provide Namibian athletes with opportunities to compete on regional and international stages while contributing to the long-term development of athletics in the country.

Before their departure, both athletes expressed gratitude to SanlamAllianz for making the trip possible through sponsorship of flights and accommodation, with official event partner Avis also providing transport during their stay in Botswana.

Their podium finishes underline the success of the initiative, as both runners showcased Namibia's growing strength in long-distance running against some of the region's top competitors.

Haitope's victory and Simon's runner-up finish not only earned them a combined P48 000 (approximately N$57 915) in prize money but also highlighted the value of investing in local talent and exposing athletes to higher levels of competition.

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