PRESS RELEASE
The oldest desert on Earth hosted a highly competitive
field to mark this year’s Sahara Race (Namibia)
The stunning and varied landscape, the ever-changing men’s stage winners and hot temperatures
marked this year’s Sahara Race (Namibia).
[6 May 2017, Swakupmond, Namibia] – Mo Foustok of Saudi Arabia and Kirsten Althoff of
Germany brought outstanding performances to the Sahara Race (Namibia) 2017 to claim the first
4 Deserts championships of the year. Held in the remote Skeleton Coast National Park in the
country of Namibia, the race experienced unseasonably hot temperatures, beautiful sights,
including a seal colony, shipwrecks, and unique flora and fauna, and intense competition that kept
both competitors and viewers on their toes.
Ralph Crowley of the United States took an early lead winning Stage 1, but was overtaken by
Saudi Arabia’s Mo Foustok, Serbia’s Jovica Spacjic and Briton’s Felix Allen. Mo Foustok then
went on to win Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4, but the United Kingdom’s Felix Allen overtook
Foustok on “Dune Day” to win Stage 5. Fortunately for Foustok, his overall time of 25:16:36 over
250 kilometers was the lowest cumulative time making him the Sahara Race (Namibia) 2017
champion.
Jovica Spajic of Serbia put in an impressive performance taking silver in a time of 28:00:42.
Briton’s Felix Allen put in a solid performance all week with a win for Stage 5 over the steep and
rolling Namibian dunes. His final time was 29:01:45. Iulian Rotariu of Romania placed fourth
overall with a time of 29:11:41, just under 10 minutes behind Allen, despite recording the fastest
time for Stage 6. Rafael Fuchsgruber of Germany placed fifth in a time of 32:32:31.
The women’s race was no less exciting. The week started off with Kristinet Starck (nee van der
Westhuizen) of South Africa, a veteran of three Sahara Races, all held in different locations (Egypt,
Jordan and Namibia), leading the way. But on Stage 2, Kirsten Althoff of Germany, also a
contender in last year’s 100km World Championships and a 4 Deserts rookie, took the lead and
held onto it for the remainder of the week with a final time of 33:36:37. Newcomer Carolina Monaci
of Italy was strong all week and placed second with a time of 36:56:39. Riitta Hanninen, who has
been at more than twenty-five 4 Deserts races as a member of the management team, was
competing in her first 4 Deserts race and finished in third position in a time of 37:53:55, proving
to everyone she’s equally tough as a competitor. Martina Hesseling of Germany finished fourth in
40:32:45, and Kristinet Starck of South Africa placed fifth in 40:58:26.
Kirsten Althoff was competing as part of The Little Desert Runners Club, a group of 14 competitors
from Germany who spent the year training and preparing together. All but one competitor from
the Little Desert Runners Club completed the Sahara Race (Namibia) 2017.
The field also contained two competitors from Namibia: Tobias Verwey and Hannes Smith.
Verwey finished in the top ten and Hannes in 21st position. Verway was competing in his first 4
Deserts race and Hannes was returning for a second time having competed in the Sahara Race
(Namibia) last year.
Men’s and Women’s Age Group Winners were as follows:
© Copyright 4 Deserts Race Series Limited 2017. All rights reserved.
PRESS RELEASE
The oldest desert on Earth hosted a highly competitive
field to mark this year’s Sahara Race (Namibia)
Men
29 and under, Peter Schleider (Germany)
30-39, Shawn Harmon (United States)
40-49, Iulian Rotariu (Romania)
50-59, Rafael Fuchsgruber (Germany)
60-69, Tadashi Murakami (Japan)
Women
29 and under, Nicola Roth, Charlotte Lynch (Australia)
30-39, Marina Lazic (Serbia)
40-49, Kristinet Starck (South Africa)
50-59, Martina Hesseling (Germany)
A couple of special prizes were also awarded at the conclusion of the race. Mo Foustok of Saudi
Arabia, the overall champion, won the Spirit Award. The Sportsmanship Award went to Paul
Borlinha of Canada, who assisted several competitors throughout the difficulties of race week.
The location of Skeleton Coast National Park was the second time for the Sahara Race, which
has temporarily moved out of its home country of Egypt due to political and social unrest. A remote
and stunning location, race participants were allowed special access into the national park to
areas and at a time that it is normally closed to the public. The race worked closely with Dr. Philip
Stander, a wildlife and conservationist expect, of Desert Lion Conservation to ensure the safety
of both race participants and native fauna of the area.
Despite temperatures which varied between the heat of the inland and the cool of the coast,
competitors enjoyed the course immensely. The Women’s Champion Kirsten Althoff of Germany
commented “The Dune Day [Stage 5] was amazing, but I felt a little sad knowing that the race is
nearly over. I didn’t know if I could do well in the race but the scenery just made me want to keep
running.”
In addition to running along sand dune ridges, competitors enjoyed the pristine Atlantic coastline,
unique flora and fauna, including large seal colonies on the shoreline. At nighttime, they slept on
soft beaches and atop desert sands under breathtaking skies.
The Sahara Race will return to Namibia in 2018 and is sure to again be a popular event. Judy
Chan of Hong Kong summed it up well: “This is an amazing way to discover the desert and
Namibia. I’m glad I made it.”
To find out more go to www.4deserts.com/saharara or email [email protected]
- ENDS –
© Copyright 4 Deserts Race Series Limited 2017. All rights reserved.
PRESS RELEASE
The oldest desert on Earth hosted a highly competitive
field to mark this year’s Sahara Race (Namibia)
© Copyright 4 Deserts Race Series Limited 2017. All rights reserved.