Lloyd wins steeplechase as opponent stumbles through water barrier at CGA meet
She won in 05:59.30 while second-placed Lea van Heerden fell into the water at the water pit in her rush to close the gap.
Hoërskool Randburg steeplechaser Lea van Heerden caused a splash when she tumbled head first into the water pit during the U16 girls’ 1 500m steeplechase at the second CGA junior and youth track and field meeting at Germiston Stadium on February 1.
In her rush to catch runaway leader Tamica Lloyd of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) on the final lap, Van Heerden misjudged the jump and landed head first in the water.
The 14-year old picked herself up to complete the race following her fall, clocking 06:15.99 to finish in second place behind winner Lloyd, who cut the tape in 05:59.30 after running a disciplined race.
The BNAC athlete led from the onset and went through the barriers unharmed, while her opponents struggled, especially at the water jump.
It was another successful day for the BNAC as the youngsters showed no signs of rust as the season begins to take shape.
Middle-distance runner Chelsea van Dyk, who won four national golds last year in both cross-country and track, took part in the U16 girls’ 400m one-lap sprint, probably to work on her speed. She finished the event in first place in a decent 01:01.55 with twins Kayla and Tatum Froneman fifth and eighth, respectively.
Also Read: Van Dyk ends year with double gold at nationals
Sprinter Pamela-Jo Mostert was fourth and fifth in the U16 girls’ short sprints. Despite winning her heat in 13.16 in the 100m, she was fourth on the overall results. She clocked 27.22 for fifth place in the 200m.
Northerns junior athlete of the year Siyanda Madlabane looked sharp in the U16 boys’ 1 500m.
The 13-year old had friendly competition from BNAC newcomer Kgalalelo Shuping, who sat alongside the Daveyton-resident until Madlabane dropped him on the finishing straight to win in 04:33.88.
Shuping crossed the line in 04:34.30 for second while Mheho Mhlongo (04:46.30) and Samukelo Msibi (04:46.31) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
Other results
Bronywyn Nel, who finished the Johnson Crane Marathon women’s 10km race in second place on January 26, won the U20 women’s 800m in 02:24.07.
Gift Nkosi of East Athletic Club (EAC) won the U20 women’s 3 000m in 11:40.20 and 5 000m in 22:14.86. Her teammate Kwanda Longoza was seventh in the pacey and competitive senior men’s 5 000m race in 14:59.81.
The CGA track and field commission chair, Maggie Dicks expressed her excitement at seeing the depth of talent in the region.
She encouraged runners to register for the third league meeting, on February 15, on time to allow CGA to plan the logistics accordingly.
To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/2025Feb15League3
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