The president of the Suva Marathon, Beth Sargent, expressed her astonishment at the remarkable participation of over 500 runners in the Namosi Challenge held on Saturday, despite the adverse weather conditions.
The event included a half marathon of 21km, an individual marathon of 10km, and a team marathon where groups of four each ran 10km to complete a full marathon.
This marked Sargent’s third experience with the Namosi Challenge, and she was eager to run in such a picturesque setting. As a member of the Suva Marathon club, she played a role in organizing the event and was delighted to witness the enthusiasm and determination among the participants.
“This is the third time I have done the Namosi Challenge. I’m also part of the Suva Marathon club, so I was involved in organizing the challenge,” Sargent stated. “It was an amazing race; it was soggy because of the rain, but that didn’t stop more than 500 runners from participating in the competition.”
Despite the wet conditions, the runners demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the race. Sargent noted that the stunning views and support from local communities along the route made the experience worthwhile.
“It was so beautiful here; the hills are challenging, but the scenery and the communities along the way motivate you to tackle those hills,” she remarked.
Sargent was particularly impressed by the perseverance of the runners as they navigated through the tough conditions without giving up. She encouraged others to participate in future events, emphasizing the beauty of the course and the fulfillment that comes from completing such a demanding race.