Johannes smashes record

HELALIA Johannes posted a new national record with her two hours, 26 minutes and nine seconds 12th place finish in the 2012 Olympic Games women’s marathon yesterday.

Johannes shaved off over a minute of the 2:27:20 that she set in Vienna, Austria, three months  earlier. Compatriot Beata Naigambo finished 38th overall in 2:31:16, and although she had to receive medical treatment when she collapsed after the race, she recovered after a while.

Helalia Johannes (left) in action during the Women's Marathon at the Olympic Games. Photo: Helge Schutz

The race was won by Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia in a new Olympic record time of 2:23:07, while Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya came second in 2:23:12 and Tatyana Petrova of Russia third in 2:23:29.

“The race was not that easy because it was raining and I was struggling with all the corners but I was just trying my best and I thank God for that. My target was to go with the front group until the halfway stage. I stayed with them until the 25km mark and that’s why I managed to break the Namibian record,” said an elated Johannes, who, as she crossed the finish line sank to her knees and kissed the ground several times to demonstrate her joy.

“I was so excited when I finished and that’s why I kissed the ground, because I was thanking God for that. I wasn’t even expecting that I would break the Namibian record because the weather was terrible and there were too many corners and it was not easy for me to run that fast,” she added.

Her performance is arguably the best of by a Namibian at the London Games and drew praise from Sport Minister Kazenambo Kazenambo.

“It was phenomenal. I watched the race from the beginning to the end, step by step, and was so proud of our athletes. They were running in the spirit of solidarity, they were sharing their water and carrying one another. That’s how teamwork must be – there was no selfishness or greed,” he said. “It was a fantastic performance by these athletes, it was euphoric and unbelievable. They were competing against the best but their passion and determination were unbelievable.

“I told them before the race, you must run with the wind, be part of the wind and in the end they beat the wind. I am so proud of our athletes,” said Kazenambo.