The president of the Suva Marathon, Beth Sargent, expressed her amazement at the remarkable turnout of over 500 runners at the Namosi Challenge held on Saturday, despite the difficult weather conditions.
The event included a half marathon covering 21 kilometers, a 10-kilometer individual marathon, and a team marathon where groups of four each completed 10 kilometers to finish a full marathon.
This marked Sargent’s third participation in the Namosi Challenge, and she was eager to experience the stunning location once again. As an active member of the Suva Marathon club, she also took part in organizing the event and was delighted to witness the enthusiasm and spirit of the competitors.
“This is the third time I have done the Namosi Challenge; I’m also part of the Suva Marathon club, so I helped organize the challenge,” Sargent shared. “It was an amazing race; it was soggy due to the rain, but that didn’t deter the more than 500 runners from participating.”
Despite the wet terrain, the athletes demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout the race. Sargent noted that the breathtaking scenery and the support from local communities along the route made the experience worthwhile.
“It was so beautiful out here; the hills are a bit tough, but the views and the communities make you push through those hills,” she said.
Sargent was particularly struck by the perseverance and spirit shown by the runners as they navigated the challenging conditions without giving up. She encouraged others to join future events, emphasizing the beauty of the course and the sense of achievement that comes with completing such a demanding race.