The Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium national marathon, 10km Run, Uranium Team Relay and 5km Fun Walk in aid of the Cancer Association of Namibia takes place this Saturday, 15 February at the athletics stadium in Vineta, Swakopmund. The running events start at 7.00 and the Fun Walk at 9.00 from the same starting point at the Vineta stadium.

This year, as extra incentive to the athletes, Rössing makes N$1 000 available for the runner that breaks the marathon record. The record of 2:11:23 by Luketz Swartbooi was set in 1992 already. The first prize in the marathon Men's Open and Ladies Open categories is N$10 000 with development bonuses of N$20 000 also awarded to the Namibian winners of the same event - advance their careers beyond the Rössing event.

Entries from Swakopmund and Windhoek have been flowing in and the event is expected to attract a field of around 100 marathon runners and 150 ten-kilometre runners this year. East-African runners who realise the event's importance as a potential qualifier for the bigger South-African marathons later in the year also expressed their interest in the marathon.

The event is held in the spirit of healthy lifestyles and Rössing's commitment to create opportunities for the communities around the mine to be part of its focus on promoting this ideal. The theme for 2014 is “Champions maintain their health - Keep up the pace!”

The popular 5km Fun Walk with its incredible atmosphere of support for cancer sufferers in Namibia follows one of the most scenic routes of any fun walk in the country, along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Walkers of all ages are encouraged to participate and stand a chance to win a prize in an exciting price-giving ceremony and lucky draw at 10.00. The fun walk competition categories are; Best costume, Most original hat, Tallest walker, Youngest and oldest walkers and Largest group. The entry fee for the fun walk is N$10.

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The running events start at 7.00 from the athletics stadium in Vineta. The cut-off time for the marathon is 12.00. Entry fees are N$60 for the marathon (N$100 for international athletes), N$30 for the 10km run (N$50 for international athletes), N$80 per team for the uranium team relay.

Registration for the championship takes place at the Vineta athletics stadium on Friday, 14 February, from 18.00 to 21.00. On Saturday morning, 15 February, registration takes place from 6.00 to 6.30. Participating athletes in the Marathon and 10km Run will receive their race numbers and T-shirts at registration. All participants must be at the starting line 15 minutes before the start of the race for the race rules announcement.

Entry forms for the event will be available at the venue during registration or are available at www.rossing.com or contact Frank Slabbert of Swakop Striders at tel. 064 405788 (h) / cell 081 240 3383 or Botha Ellis of Rössing at tel. 064 520 2426 (w) / cell 081 286 0456.

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About us:

The Rössing Uranium mine is one of the largest and longest-running open pit uranium mines in the world. It is located in the Namib Desert 65 kilometres from Swakopmund near the town of Arandis. Discovered in 1928, it started operations in 1976 as Namibia's first uranium mine and in 2012, produced 2,699 tonnes of uranium oxide, producing 4 per cent of the world's uranium. Rössing is a member of the Rio Tinto group of companies. Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the United Kingdom and employs around 71 000 people and work in over 40 countries worldwide.

Issued by: Rössing Corporate Communication

Enquiries: Botha Ellis

Advisor Corporate Communication
Tel: 064 520 2426
Cell: 081 286 0456

Fax: 064 520 1506