Windhoek Lager Fish River Canyon Ultra

Friday the 26th August 2011 saw a few of the athletes together with the event crew and organizers depart from Klein Windhoek Guest House in Windhoek, for the Fish River Canyon, to partake in the inaugural Fish River Canyon Ultra marathon. After a brief stop at the Canon Roadhouse Lodge (Part of the Gondwana collection and located in the Gondwana conservation area) to collect lunch packs and freshen up, the convoy departed for the last leg of the journey to the location of the first night race village.

A spectacular scene greeted the participants as they arrived at the race village, with it being situated on top of and virtually on the edge of the Canyon, providing views and scenery that few people have had the privilege to experience. Namibia Breweries and their Windhoek Lager special functions crew together with AEP had built a village in the middle of nowhere, providing a dining area, individual tented accommodation and VIP ablution facilities. Officials from the Ministry of Environment & Tourism gave special permission to AEP to locate the race village here, obviously on condition that the strictest environmental considerations were adhered to. At around 6pm, once all participants had arrived from various destinations, the registration process was taken care of. This was followed by the official race briefing that was held with the canyon as the backdrop together with a typical Namibian awe inspiring sunset

Gondwana group through their Canon Lodge provided a fantastic three course meal which was a prelude to a much needed good nights sleep for the participants. After all, the morning would provide a challenge few dared to undertake! At 4:30am the race village once again came to life. After a hearty breakfast, once again provided for by Canon Lodge, the participants made their way to the start of the challenge, located at the canyon view-point, used by most as the start of the world famous hiking trail. Shortly after 6am the athletes set off, making their way along the edge of the canyon to the Sulphur Springs decent point where they began the challenging decent to the bottom of the canyon. At the bottom of the decent, the first (of three) check points was reached. Frans Amunyela, a first time ultra athlete was the first to reach the checkpoint, followed closely by Hentie Hough fresh from his Comrades run. Within 46 minutes all athletes were accounted for and past the checkpoint. Weather conditions were perfect throughout the day, with the canyon being hot enough to ensure that the participants took regular dips into the crystal clear Fish River. Very little water had to be carried by the athlete’s as they simply had to fill their supply directly from the river. After many grueling hours of boulder hoping, river crossings, thick sand and hiking trails the first athlete reached the 3rd and last checkpoint at 12:30pm. Once again it was Frans leading the pack with Hentie hot on his heals. At 13:13pm Elpheus Haushona and Manya Stimata were the next to sign in, both being employees of NWR at Ai-Ais. Elpheus fills the role of head chef at the resort and is a seasoned ultra runner. The first lady into the last check-point at 14:18pm was Lisa de Speville, well-known adventure racer and columnist for Go Multi magazine based in SA. Roelf Vorster and Jonnie Jacobs decided to keep each other company, with Roelf doing a back to back Fish river hike / run, having only completed the hike a day before. Jonnie a medical doctor from Keetmanshoop was easily the most recognizable participant with his day glow orange running top. Taking up the position at the rear of the pack was Clive Bergh, a Namibian currently flying for Air Korea, ensuring that everyone was safe and sound ahead of him. Another 25km or so to the end….

Coming into Ai-Ais to the cheer of a mixture of local supporters, tourists and crew, together with some local drummers, was Frans Amunyela hotly pursued by Hentie Hough. Frans managed to find another surge of energy, after spending most of the day conquering all that the canyon could throw at him, pipping Hentie to the post in an official time of 9hrs 36min and 56 secs. Hentie finished just behind him in 9hr:37:04. Lisa de Speville was the first lady home in 11hr:39:27. Much to the joy of the local community, Johanna Ashimbanga, also an employee of NWR in Ai-Ais, was the second lady to finish in 12hr:36:16. Finally the last competitor, Clive Bergh finished in a time of 15hr:37:58, much to the joy and relief of his son Tim. After a hearty goulash served by the NWR Ai-Ais staff and plentiful malt refreshments from the main sponsors Windhoek Lager, the athletes settled down to a well-earned nights rest. Prize giving was held on Sunday morning at 11am, with many individuals displaying a fair bit of difficulty in moving around comfortably. All in all, the event was a huge success and each contestant was full of praise for the route and organization. Most importantly all the participants came out of the canyon largely unscathed, promising to return next year. A 30min production of the event will appear on DSTV Super Sport, the details and times of which will be displayed in due course. Without the support of the following sponsors the event would not have been possible, and we would like to convey our heartfelt appreciation to them.

Title sponsors - Namibia Breweries Limited through their Windhoek Lager brand.

Radio Wave 96.7 – Providing event promotion and broadcasting.

Novel Ford Motor Company – Providing vehicle support for the event.

USN – Providing their Active range to hydrate the athletes throughout the event.

Final Results for Windhoek Lager Fish River Ultra Challenge 2011:

1. Frans Amunyela – 9.36.56
2. Hentie Hough – 9.37.04
3. Elpheus Haushona – 10.33.14
4. Manya Simata – 10.33.16
5. Lisa de Speville – 11.39.27
6. Jan Jacobs – 12.17.22
7. Roelf Vorster – 12.17.22
8. Johanna Ashimbanga – 12.36.16
9. Clive Bergh – 15.37.10