Minenhle Kgaphola delivered one of the standout performances of the fifth CGA cross-country league meeting at Kwa-Thema Stadium on July 4.

The Langaville AC teenager held her own against Benoni Northerns Athletic Club standout Chelsea van Dyk and Absa Running Club’s Ofentse Mothapo in the combined U14 and U15 girls’ 4km race.

Kgaphola, a learner at Queen High School in Johannesburg on a Central Gauteng Athletics scholarship, stood stern-faced on the start line.

When the starter’s gun fired, her determination took over as she surged to the front before settling behind Van Dyk and Mothapo.

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While it was always going to be a daunting task to challenge three-time national champion Van Dyk and the equally determined Mothapo, Kgaphola comfortably held third place and had opened a sizeable gap over the chasing pack by the end of the first lap.

She maintained her strong pace over the final lap and was greeted by loud cheers from the Langaville AC contingent as she stormed across the finish line third overall and second in the U14 race.

Kgaphola stopped the clock in 15:31, finishing 37 seconds behind winner Van Dyk and just nine seconds adrift of runner-up Mothapo.

Teammate Zanele Mzizi also impressed, placing fifth in the U15 category and ninth overall in 16:04.

Elsewhere, Buhle Mahlangu claimed victory in the U23 women’s 2km race in 08:44, while Amukelani Tivane finished second in the U10 boys’ 2km in 07:53.

Junior Matanga, Nompumelelo Nxumalo and Esethu Madlophe finished second, seventh and 10th in the U9 boys’ and U10 girls’ 2km races respectively.

Thoko Ndlovu stormed to third in the U13 girls’ 3km in 11:47, Given Mofokeng secured second place in the U13 boys’ 4km in 14:37, and Nkanyezi Mkhwanazi placed ninth in the U11 girls’ 3km.