Renthia Kaimbi
On 7 March, runners will gather in Swakopmund for the Rössing National Marathon.
This year’s race marks 35 consecutive years of partnership between Rössing Uranium and the Swakop Striders Running Club.
Organisers expect about 4,500 runners to take part. The partnership began in 1991. A group of Rössing employees who shared a love for running formed the Swakop Striders Running Club. They approached the mine with a proposal to host a marathon. That decision laid the foundation for what has become one of the longest-running sporting collaborations in Namibia.
Swakop Striders Secretary Frank Slabbert has been involved in athletics administration since the early 1980s. He has seen the event grow from its early struggles to its current scale.
“This is the oldest running event in the Erongo Region, and I don’t believe there is anything older in the country now,” he said.
The early years were not easy. “There were difficult years; I remember one year in the 1990s when we had only five runners in the marathon,” he said.
A turning point came with the introduction of a 10 km race.
“Introducing the 10km race saved the event, as we had more runners in that category,” he added.
Over time, the partnership strengthened. It moved beyond sponsorship to a shared effort focused on organising, funding and community development through sport.
The marathon now attracts elite athletes and social runners. Distances cater to seasoned marathoners as well as those who prefer shorter races.
“Today, the Rössing National Marathon stands not only as a competitive platform for elite athletes but also as an inclusive event that welcomes runners of all abilities, from seasoned marathoners to social 10km participants,” Slabbert said.
Rössing Uranium’s manager for corporate communications, Daylight Ekandjo, said the long-standing partnership reflects commitment from both sides.
“For 35 years, this partnership with Swakop Striders has demonstrated the power of collaboration in building a lasting sporting legacy,” she said.
“The Rössing National Marathon is more than a race; it is a celebration of community, resilience, and healthy living.”
She said the mine remains committed to supporting initiatives that create impact and bring people together.
From a handful of runners in the 1990s to thousands on the start line today, the marathon has grown with the town. On 7 March, the roads of Swakopmund will once again tell that story, one step at a time.
