The annual Standard Bank Winter Xtrail Series kicks off with the K-H Xtrail

The Standard Bank Winter Xtrail Series kicked off this Sunday, 9 June, in the stunning mountains of the Khomas Hochland, at Farm Godeis.  This is the 9th year that Standard Bank has been sponsoring the event and OTB SPort have hosted the event.   More than 380 people entered to test their mettle on the rough and tough trails of the Khomas Hochland.

#1 in the Standard Bank Series,  the K-H Xtrail, consists of single track, steep climbs and descents, and beautiful vistas.  No reminders of city life, just pure veldt.  The Noordelike KH Farmers Association was out in force to provide the participants with well earned food/drink and a farmers market.

Khomas participants could choose between the 7km or 16km distance.  The event is the only event in the series that is a team event.  Participants are required to finish with their team member(s), or will need to wait in the “sin bin”.

In the  16 km run,  the Male Team, O-N Trail’ers, consisting of Thomas Miller and Salomo David, established a comfortable lead and took first spot in 1:24:41.  In second place in a time of 1:35:35:03 was Team Vets, with Andrew Rowles and Pierre van Rensburg.  The third Male Team, Team AA, consisting of Anthony Abrahams and Windsor Markus finished in 1:47:32.

The 16km Female team event was won by Team Cheetah, consisting of Beata Jeremia and Salmi Nduviteko in 1:32:58.  In an outstanding performance, they were also second overall across the line.   In second place was Pamela Vuraya and Indileni Mweshamekange, in 1:38:05.  The third place team, the Wolf Pack, consisting of Hannah Winter, Anne Scharrenbroich and Jamie Vinson, finished in 2:20:01.

The 16km Mixed Team event was won by Khomas NPOL Athletes, with Beata Naigambo and Jeremia Shaliaxwe, in a time of 1:37:01.   In Second place was the Okahandja team, with Nesely Gawaseb and Ivonne Shelikita, finishing in 1:46:46 and in Third place, in 1:54:50, was 2 Legit 2 Quit, with Maike Epler and Kai-Uwe Brettschneider.

In the 7km event, first to cross the line, and winners of the 15 and U category, was Young Guns, with Matt-Reece Izaaks and Nathan Chase in 37:55, comfortably beating their 2023 record.  Second overall and first team in the Male Open Team category was Team Trailblazers, with Calum Gunning and Ethan Brinkmann, in a time of 38:11. Second place in the Male Open Team category went to Kukuta Group consisting of Bernadinus Kambwae and Martin Kalwenya in 39:04.  Third placed team was WW2, in 46:41, consisting of WJ Dreyer and Wilhelm Pieterse.

In the 15 and U Male category the second placed team was Gys and Corrie, consisting of the Dreyer brothers, in a time of 57:35.  Third place in the category was the Outlaws with Noah Rijnen, Wilder van Drunen and Jessy Jacobs in 1:05:37.

The Female team category was won by DHPS 4a Dream Team, with Ilona Sickel and Vanessa Tröh in 57:48.  Second place in a time of 1:01:35 was Team T&Ts, with Nicole Botha and Jana Quinger.  Third place, in a time of 1:10:25, Team Lena & Bronwen, with Lena Brinkmann and Bronwen Chase.

The Mixed team was won by the Rijnen’s, consisting of husband and wife, Bas and Hileni, in a time of 57:22.  Second in 58:43 was Scrambled Legs, with another husband and wife team, Dano and Karli Burger.  In third place in 58:54, was Team Coral Coatings with Barend and Jenneke Koch and Marchell Titus.

Winner in the 11 and U Boys category was Nutella Sportverein with Phillip Oldenburg, Sebastian Suffield and Anton Thum in 56:23.

Winner in the 11 and U Girls/Mixed category were, the Invicncible, consisting of Mia Winter, Owne Rijnen and Tiarnan Keown-Kisting in a time of 1:15:16.

Event organisers, OTB SPORT, thanked Standard Bank for their generous sponsorship and the invaluable contribution they have made, over the last 9 years, to trail running in namibia.

All results can be found on www.otbsport.com.