Frans Hosea judged his race to perfection to win the Aqua Splash Xtrail at Avis Dam on Sunday.

Hosea covered the 11,5km off road run in an excellent time of 44 minutes 16 seconds to finish 16 seconds ahead of Simon Shipingana and Jason Nghinanamunhu who crossed the finish line in the same time.

The 11.5km Aqua Splash race took place on a combination of footpaths, cattle paths and river bed.  The race was tough with some long hard climbs and near the end the participants had to endure a 1km run in river sand.  

Erich Goeieman and Jason Nghinanamunhu led a group of runners who broke away from the pack soon after the start, as they went flying over the rocks, dodging trees, rocks and cows.   

For most of the race Frans Hosea stayed at the back of the  main pack letting the others do the work, while he bided his time and worked out exactly which way the course was maneuvering through the bush. 

With just under 1km to go he opened the throttle leaving his opposition behind to win the race, finishing comfortably ahead of Shipingana and Nghinanamunhu.

Anna Amutoko was first elite female runner, finishing in a time of 50:43. She finished well ahead of Helena Iipinge who came second in 51:16, while Rachel Akukothela finished a distant third in 57:22.

The full results are attached, while photos of the event can be seen at the Otb Sport fan page on facebook, or visit www.otbsport.com.
 
The event was sponsored by Aqua Splash Water, a Namibia Dairies brand.  Their brand slogan is "A Healthy Obsession" which is fitting with this type of Endurance Activity.  

Yvonne Brinkmann from Otb Sport said that they were delighted with the response to this type of  bush running. 

"At one stage we thought Windhoekers are not going to take to trail running.  We were wrong - counting by the responses we are getting, they loved it.  Running out in nature is something that once you do it you are hooked".

Approximately 150 athletes participated at this weekends MTN Business Off Road Triathlon at Friedenau Dam.

The Full event consisted of a 1.2km swim, 24.7 km bike ride and a difficult off-road run of 8.9km, for which a path is specifically cut out of the surrounding bush.
Patrick de Goede, a seasoned triathlete, who took overall second place in the race said, "The race was tight and tough. You were pushing yourself to catch the person in front of you and at the same time racing to get away from the people behind".
The 1.2 km swim saw Mark Brinkmann, currently in training for Iron Man SA, first out the water. Second out the water, was Jurie Badenhorst, followed by Andrew Rowles, Patrick De Goede and Andy Chase. Chase, one of the firm favorites for the race, caught up with training partner, Brinkmann on the cycle. Andy Chase, Mark Brinkmann, Andrew Rowles, Patrick de Goede and Stefan van Doorn were all neck on neck for the cycle and came into transition on each others tails. The run pace was fast with Andy Chase in the lead followed by Mark Brinkmann and Patrick De Goede. Unfortunatly, Andy Chase, suffered severe cramps and had to pull out of the race. Mark Brinkmann then opened it up, pushing the pace on the run route to create a convincing two minute lead over De Goede. Mark Brinkmann won the race in a time of 2:10:28, which was 4 minutes faster than 2009's winning time. Patrick de Goed was second in a time of 2:12:32. Stefan Van Doorn was overall third (and first in the Elite category) in a time of 2:12:34. The first female accross the line was Elke Jagau in a time of 2:30:43. Charmaine Shannon was second in a time of 2:47:01. In third place was Susanne Borg in a time of 3:14:20.
The overall winner of the Rookie event, comprising of of a 600m swim, 10km bike and 3km run, was 14 year old Marin Freyer, in an excellent time of 55.19. Martin was also winner of the Male U16 category. First Rookie Female 40 plus years was former Miss Namibia, Anja Schroder in a time of 1:07. First Female U39 was Karen Munting in a time of 1:24:22. First Male U39 was Aidrian de la Harp in a time of 59:06 with Ian Grassouw a breath behind in a time of 59:16. The Male 40 plus category was won by Hendrie Scheun in a time of 1:21:25.

The U12 category was won by Herbert Pieters in a time of 39:55, in second place Luke Brinkmann in a time of 44:47, and in third place was Patrick Tietz in a time of 47:55. .
First team in the U12 category was St Pauls Saints with team members Alexander Skinner,Joshua Van Tonder and Niel Swanepoel.

Otb Sport event organiser, Yvonne Brinkmann, said it was terrific to see many new faces in triathlon accross a broad range of ages and levels.   "The Sport has definitely found strong and stable support in the number of participants over the last few years.  In fact we are seeing consistent large numbers across all the triathlon events in Namibia.  We are also seeing a strong improvement in the quality of athletes and an improvement in times.  In 2009 only one person (Tokkie Bombosch) beat the 2hr15 minute mark.  This year all 5 of the top finishers were well below 2hr15min."  MTN Business representative, Ingram Van Heerden also a triathlete and participant of the event said, " As a sponsor we will definitely continue to support this exciting and tough event.  On a personal note it remains my favorite event both local and South African".

This is the third year that MTN Business Namibia has sponsored the Off-Road Triathlon. Manfred Engling of MTN Business said, "MTN’s commitment to support the business community in Namibia with the most reliable access to the world will always remain just as much as our commitment to support the Namibian sporting community like the past weekend. MTN is very proud to be associated with OTB sport and is looking forward to making this event even bigger and greater next year!"

Over 120 swimmers took part in Pointbreak Open Water Swim at Oanob this Sunday. Participants had a choice of the 700m rookie or 2.1km endurance event.
Event organisers, Otb Sport, said they were very pleased with turnout for the event and the growth in the event over the years. They said it was promising to see the number of participants in the u13 age group as well as new faces, young and old, joining the swimming community and taking up swimming as a means to stay fit and healthy.

The race dealt some surprise results with overall top positions in the main event, the 2.1km swim, dominated by the veterans. First to cross the line and overall winner of the 60 odd participants who partook in the 2.1km swim was 40 year old veteran triathlete Mark Brinkmann in a time of 31.47. Second to cross the line, and winner of the 14-30 year category, was 20 year old, Stefan Van Zyl in a time of 31.55. And in third position was another veteran - well know Namibian triathlete and cyclist Tokkie Bombosch in a time of 32.00. 17 year old Ajad Van Wyk was 4th accross the line in a time of 32.57. 48 year old, Paddy Murphy was 5th across the line in a time of 32.57 and 44 year old, Alexander Skinner, was in 6th position in a time of 33.00

Overall winner, Mark Brinkmann had this to say about his race "I had a good start to the race and was hoping to keep up with the top veterans Paddy Murphy, Tokkie Bombosh and Alex Skinner.  After about 1.2 km I was still with the second pack of swimmers.  I am busy training for iron man so my fitness level is good.  I had the fitness and endurance to break away from the second pack and catch the leaders.  With about 150 meters I thought if ever I am going to win an open water race this is it!.  So I went into an all out sprint and was rather incredulous to find myself not only having won the veteran category but  being overall winner.  To me it says practice produces wonders. You are never too old to wring out performances you did not think you were capable of".

Christine Briedenhann was the first female accross the line in a time of 33.08. She was also winner of the 14-30 eyear category. Christine had a comfortable 2min13sec lead over second female Silke Bierbrauer. 13 year old,Godiva Beukes, won the Female 13 and under category in a time of 38.15. 11 year old Alexander Skinner, was winner of the male 13 and under category in a time of 38.13. The female 31 plus age category was won by Tamsin Bowra in a time of 38.24with Charmine Shannon in second position
The main sponsor, Pointbreak said it was proud to be associated with such a well-organized event which ensures that young and old are able to compete at a competitive level and still have fun. We are not surprised that the Pointbreak Open Water Swim has gone from strength to strength as it is both a great sports event and family event

The Pupkewitz Jetty Mile took place this Sunday at the Tiger Reef Beach Bar. The duathlon consists of a one mile sea swim from the Tiger Reef Beach Bar to the Mole and a one mile run back to the beach bar. 

The day started off cold and windy, and the sea was rough and cold.  Not ideal conditions.  But for over 90 participants that took part this added to the tangible air of excitement. 

Mr. Pupkewitz started the race, and on his gun shot the swimmers plunged into the ocean.  The rip soon had them well out to sea but rough seas meant the breakers were further out than usual, making for a bumpy swim.  They rounded the Jetty and then went into the Mole.  Max Siedentopf was a first out the water with Boris Kulikowski and then Nico Sterk, SA ultra distance elite triahlete hot on his heals.  Nico Sterk was followed by Namibian veteran triathlete Tokkie Bombosch and Mark Brinkmann, co-owner of Otb Sport, the event organizers.

Max Siedentopf, last year winner, managed to maintain his lead in the one mile run from the Mole back to the Tiger Reef Beach Bar and was first over the finish line.  Nico Sterk used his multi discipline triathlon training and took Boris Kulikowski on the run. First female to cross the line was Corinna Wahl.

Many holiday makers and tourists take part in the event, and Swakopmund as a destination certainly has more and more to offer the tourist.   For the participants the thrill of doing a race in the big blue, where conditions are unforeseeable, makes this race something beyond the ordinary, and for many a "must" in the Christmas calendar. 

Click here to Download Jetty Mile Results

Photos coming soon...

Click here to Download Triathlon Results

Photos coming soon...

Otb Sport thanked MTN Business, whose representatives were present at the event, for their generous sponsorship without which this scale and calibre of event would not be possible.

Tokkie Bombosch was the overall winner of the full event and winner of the over 40 category. He completed the 1.2km swim, 22.4km hilly off-road cycle and 8.7km bush run in a time of 2h14. Tokkie Bombosch is a seasoned triathlete who has won the Namibian National Triathlon Championsips, Mariental and Old Mutual Ultra Triathlon numerous times and represented Namibia at national level for cycling and triathlon, including the Commonwealth Games. He said of the event: "It is very encouraging to see the re-birth of triathlon in Namibia. Particularly good to see such a strong representation in the Rookie and Kids categories, with a strong family element after the event. It bodes well for the future of triathlon, particularly off-road. Well done to OTB Sport and MTN!” Andy Chase was the winner of the U39 category in a time of 2h25. The first female to cross the line was Elke Jagau in a time of 2h42.

The first male team to cross the line in the full event was the Otb Sport team. Otb Sport Team completed the course in a time of 2h00. Mark Brinkmann was the swimmer, Heiko Redeker the cyclist (2008 Junior National Championship winner and third in last years Nedbank Cycle Classic) and Frans Hosea the runner (winner of last year’s Old Mutual Victory Race Series). The mixed winning team comprised Tristan Mc Donald as swimmer, Dennis Mc Donald as cyclist and Helena Ipinge as runner. They completed the course in a time of 2h20. The Female team category was won by team Smart in a time of 2h43 and comprised of Martina Buckendorf (swimmer), Ziggy Bassingthwaighte (cyclist) and Marnie Dannhauser (runner).

The rookie event comprised of a 600m swim, a 10km cycle and a 4.4km run. Overall winner and first male U39 was Pierre van Rensburg in a time of 1h06. Winner of the over 40 male category was Max Shaffer in a time of 1h25. Winner of the female rookie U39 was Marguerite De Villiers in a time of 1h19. Berrit Graf won the over 40 category in a time of 1h43.

The U12 event which comprised a 300m swim, a 5km off-road cycle and 2.9km run was won by Herbert Peters in a time of 0h38 and the female U12 by Kia Borg in a time of 1h03.

The participants and spectators of the annual Pointbreak Open Water Swim, which took place this Sunday, were rewarded with perfect conditions - sunny skies, clear warm water and the Oanob dam at 100% capacity.

There were more than 80 entrants for the open water swim, and the field was a mix of both recreational swimmers and Namibia's best.