Eighteen-year-old schoolboy Michael Pekalski from Mariental again took the annual Visrivier (Fish River) Marathon and Cycling challenge title on Saturday.

This is the second time that he has managed to pedal his way to the highest step on the podium of this popular annual contest.

Pekalski finished the tough 104 kilometre race in three hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds (3:18,58), followed by Wimpie Silver in a time of 3:25,12.

Organiser, Annette van Dyk, on Tuesday hailed the annual sporting highlight as another success and thanked all athletes, sponsors, organisers, volunteers and supporters.

Michael's father Mike Pekalski won the veterans' section, clocking 3:43,30.

Elmarie Adriaanse took first place in the women's race in 3:56,44, followed by Louwene Radford in 3:57,28.

Most of the athletes expressed gratitude that the bigger part of the morning of the race was covered in a blanket of clouds blocking the harsh southern sun.

The total prize money for the four main events was N$40 100, according to Van Dyk.

The 42km cycling races for women and men were won by Annette van Dyk (1:40,10) and Francois Viljoen (1:21,51), respectively.

The 42,2 km marathon was won by Aaron Tjivambi in 2:30,38, while Martin Ntinda came second more than a minute later in a time of 2:31,51.

Veteran, Tomas Angula, collected the rosette in the men's section for his time of 3:17,37.

Windhoek athlete, Tania van Veen, took home gold in this long-haul race.

The men's category in the 21,1 km was won by Embashu Pinehas in 1:14,17, followed by Gerald Tsiyaya in 1:20,03.

Percy Makena (1:24,05) and Rodney Swartbooi (1:34,09) took the top two spots in the juniors' section.

Veteran, Sevilinus Mashuna, made it in an impressive 1:28,49, while the women's race was won by Ester Haitope in 1:34,14.

Completing the top two spots was Susara Karstens in 1:53,21.

The top veteran to finish the race among the females was Elme Cornelissen in 2:29,32.