Dagbreek runners challenge disability stereotypes

What began as afternoon exercise for learners at Dagbreek Resource School has grown into a competitive running team that challenges perceptions of intellectual disability and proves athletic potential can flourish when young people are given the chance to develop their talents.

Founded in 2025 by teacher and coach Lydia Matheus, the Dagbreek Running Team currently comprises 21 athletes who train three times a week and compete in road races across Namibia, regularly securing top-10 finishes and podium positions against mainstream runners.

Matheus, a runner herself, said the initiative began when she questioned what opportunities her learners had beyond academic and vocational development.

Her athletes follow a specialised curriculum that emphasises practical skills, independence and everyday development. She initially started running with them after school to promote physical well-being and provide a structured activity while many parents were still at work. The idea of competitive running emerged almost by chance when Matheus registered the learners for a road race she was entering herself.

“That first race changed everything. All of them were faster than me, despite my own running experience. I remember thinking, Wait a minute. There is something here,” she said. The experience convinced her that the learners had athletic abilities that hadn’t been fully explored. What began as afternoon exercise later became a team with competitive ambitions and a growing presence at local races. For Matheus, however, the initiative extends beyond medals and finishing times. It is about creating opportunities for young people whose abilities can be overlooked because of misconceptions surrounding intellectual disability.

An intellectual disability can affect learning, reasoning, problem-solving, communication and the ability to understand instructions or manage everyday activities. Its effects vary between individuals, and it is not necessarily physically visible.

Matheus said some people mistakenly assume that a person cannot have a disability if they can walk, run and appear physically healthy. Her athletes demonstrate why such assumptions can be misleading. While they possess the physical ability to compete, some require additional assistance with numbers, directions and instructions, particularly when navigating unfamiliar race routes.

Despite these challenges, the team has recorded notable performances at several events, including the Bachmus Coastal Marathon, NBC Marathon and Nedbank Citi Dash. At the Bachmus Coastal Marathon recently, Titus Endjambi won the junior 10km category in 37 minutes and 15 seconds, followed by Petro Kooper in 37:58 and Ondjizembi KauKumangera in 38:59.

At the Nedbank Citi Dash, the athletes also competed in the 10km elite race alongside experienced Namibian runners, with Titus Endjambi and Uetusapi Korupandu finishing in the top five overall while the team secured the junior category honours.

Their achievements have also attracted formal recognition. In June 2026, the team received the Best Sports Team of Persons with Disabilities award at the National Disability Council of Namibia awards in Lüderitz. Kooper was named Best Sportsman with a Disability, while Selma Doeses received the Best Sportswoman with a Disability award.

Matheus said the recognition mattered because it acknowledged the athletes’ sporting abilities and achievements.

“Coaching is an additional responsibility I undertake outside my regular working duties. It involves far more than training three times a week. I manage registrations, plan training, coordinate transport, seek sponsorship, consider nutrition and equipment, communicate with parents and organise participation in competitions,” she said. The workload reflects the challenges of developing a team without a dedicated budget. Matheus oversees training, race registrations and logistical arrangements while seeking resources to ensure the athletes can participate consistently.

The team trains in endurance running, speed and strength, with sessions adapted to different fitness levels and support needs. Stronger runners are sometimes paired with slower athletes to encourage one another, while individual progress remains an important measure of success.

Financial constraints remain a major obstacle. With 21 athletes, expenses include running shoes, clothing, race-entry fees, transport, food and accommodation for competitions outside Windhoek.

Some learners also face difficulties getting to and from school. Matheus said she occasionally uses her own money to assist with transport because she does not want financial circumstances to prevent an athlete from participating.

To address these challenges, she organised the inaugural Run for Intellectual Disability on 18 April 2026. The event aimed to raise awareness, promote inclusive running and generate funds for the team rather than leaving its participation dependent on opportunities created by other race organisers.

The funds have helped the team provide equipment and cover practical needs. At the beginning of October, Matheus supplied all 21 athletes with new running shoes, shorts and shirts. However, she said the team still needs sustainable sponsorship to meet recurring expenses, replace worn equipment and finance regular participation in competitions.

Beyond the financial challenges, Matheus is concerned about the accessibility of mainstream road races. She said she has yet to encounter a road race offering a dedicated category specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Some athletes struggle to interpret route signs or identify turning points. At one race this year, three team members entered for the 10km distance missed a turn and ended up completing the 21km route.

Matheus said the incident highlighted the importance of clear signage and adequate route guidance. She emphasised that her appeal was not for reduced competition standards, but for fair opportunities to participate.

For Matheus, the team’s impact is also visible in the personal development of its members. She recalled one athlete who experiences communication difficulties and struggles with numbers and directions but has grown in confidence since joining the team.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the athletes grow in confidence, hearing them ask when the next training session will be, and watching their faces when their names are announced at races,” she said.

Looking ahead, Matheus wants to develop the team into a sustainable programme capable of preparing athletes for higher levels of competition. Some members are already involved in Special Olympics pathways, while others have opportunities to pursue regional and international competition.

She hopes to see suitable athletes progress to major distance-running events and wants the initiative to inspire similar programmes elsewhere in Namibia and across the region.

Her appeal to sponsors, sporting organisations and the public is that athletes with intellectual disabilities should be recognised for their dedication and given the resources to pursue their ambitions.

“An athlete is an athlete. Give them the opportunity, provide the support and let them show you what they can do,” Matheus said.

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