Hundreds of runners and cyclists braved the chilly weather to compete in the famous but gruelling Fish River Ultra-Marathon at Keetmanshoop on Saturday.

For individual senior men, Jacobus Johannes Geixab crossed the line in a time of 3 hours, 39 minutes and 28 seconds to land the first prize in the 54-kilometre race for men.

"It feels good to win the 54-kilometre race," Geixab told The Namibian Sport after the race.

Pineas Embashu ended second by clocking 3:40:52, while seasoned Namibian runner Johannes Gawaxab ended third in 3:51:34.

In the individual senior women's section, Johanna Andreas won the 54-kilometre race.

The oldest runner of the day, 70-year-old Bill Jooste, completed the 54-kilometre race in 5 hours and 25 minutes.

Jooste, who has run for the past 30 years and who has competed in 19 Two Oceans Marathons and 11 Comrades Marathons in South Africa, described the race as one of his toughest ever.

He expressed delight at the many young runners and cyclists who competed for top honours at this year's Fish River Ultra-Marathon.

"More races should involve the youth," Jooste said.

In the 21.1-kilometre race, Ignatius Hendriks crossed the line first in the time 1 hours, 36 minutes and 36 seconds, followed by Wirkied Losper.

Jacobus Hannekom finished the 104-kilometre cycling race first in a time of 2:55:33, followed by Jacobus Van Zyl in second and Joris Michael Harteveld in third.

Windhoek-based Chairmaine Shannon was in good form when she held on to win the women's 104-kilometre cycling race, crossing the line in 3:07:57.