Battling through the discomfort of ill-fitting shoes and throbbing feet, Mpumelelo Mokoena defied the odds to storm to victory in the Daveyton Street Mile men’s 10km at Sinaba Stadium on August 31.

Averaging 03:12 min/km, the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) athlete clocked 32:33 for his victory, beating early pace-setter Kabelo Mwahla of Qhubeka AC.

Mwahla crossed the line in a flat 33:00 for second place, while Ntando Mokoka of Tsakane AC completed the top three six seconds later, also taking top honours in the junior boys’ category.

Despite aching feet after the opening 4km, Mokoena, who represented CGA at the ASA half-marathon championships in Phalaborwa in July, surged in the latter stages, pulling away from Mwahla after 7km to secure victory and keep the bragging rights in Daveyton.

“The race was difficult because of my running shoes, but I tried my best. I found it particularly taxing after 4km because my feet hurt, but I managed to regroup. I never looked back afterwards because I wanted to defend my home ground,” he said.

Mokoena later won the open men’s mile in 04:42. Sibusiso Lukhele and Mwahla produced a photo finish, but Lukhele clinched the second spot by one tenth of a second.

Women’s race
Zanele Maisa, winner of the Benoni Northerns Marathon women’s half-marathon, took top honours in the women’s 10km, crossing the line ahead of Hollywoodbets AC’s Melinda and Melissa Janse van Vuuren.

The Waterfall AC runner clocked 37:24 for her victory, with Melinda following in 39:09 and Melissa grabbing the last podium position in 40:14.

Maisa used the race to prepare for the ASA cross-country championships in Middelburg, where she will participate in the women’s 10km.

“It’s my second 10km win for the year. Today was about improving my time. Last week, I ran at the ABSA Run Your City Tshwane 10km. I finished 13th in 36:30.

“My main focus today was breaking that time, even if it was by a second or a minute. I was also preparing for the cross-country nationals on Saturday in Middelburg,” Maisa said.

Makoma Batji clinched the women’s mile in 06:46. Desmond Makola and Tholang Mokone won the men’s and women’s 5km fun run.

Age-group mile results
U10

Boys
1. Katlego Dlamini
2. Motheo Mogohloane
3. Sibongokuhle Nhlapo

Girls
1. Dineo Nzuza
2. Likhona Kubayi
3. Tshegofatso Baji
U11 and U12

Boys
1. Mabitsela Mashamaite
2. Tebogo Mogapi
3. Ayabonga Sidina
Girls
1. Mahlatse Mamonyane
2. Lesedi Dladla
3. Lucia Kubayi
U14 and U15
Boys
1. Khayelihle Ndlovu
2. Omphile Mathabela
3. Dimakatso Diabela

Juniors
Boys
1. Joy Modiselle
2. Simphiwe Buzwa
3. Sakhile Ndlovu

Girls
1. Tholang Mokone