BAC’s Silale sizzles at marathon
She finished the women's marathon third in 02:55:58.
Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) runner Christina Silale’s pacing strategy for the TracN4 Elands Marathon on March 1 paid off as she delivered an exceptional performance to finish the women’s race in third place.
Although she had a sleepless two weeks in the lead-up to the race knowing she would be paced by her coach, David Gamede, who won the men’s grandmasters race, Silale was up for the challenge and it was one-way traffic once she was on the road.
Aiming to finish under 02:58, the Wattville resident clocked 02:55:58 for the bronze, finishing behind winner Martinique Cronjè who cut the tape in 02:49:44 and runner-up Kebogile Motshabi (02:52:05).
“It was a good race. I enjoyed myself on the road. I didn’t expect to finish in 02:55. I was expecting 02:58,” she said.
After a slow start due to cramps in the early stages of the race, Silale recovered well and started to run down her competition, reaching halfway in 01:27:09.
She reached 33km fifth in 02:20:08 and ran the last 9km in 35:50, running at 04:09/km, to eventually occupy the last podium place in 02:52:05.
“I suffered cramps in the first 5km but coach David, who is also a pastor, put his hands on me and prayed for me. We ran well until 32km. I was fifth. We then increased the pace to 04:09/km and I managed to finish on the podium,” said Silale.
Also Read: #Comrades2024: Gamede claims grandmaster title
Silale, a two-time Comrades Marathon finisher with a PB of 07:54:32 achieved at last year’s up-run, started her preparation for SA’s most scenic marathon after her fourth place in the Springs Striders Race 15km in January.
Her training bloc involved long runs at an average pace of 03:55/km, as well as track sessions with Gamede at Boksburg Stadium on Tuesdays. She also did hill sessions with a Qhubeka AC group in Farrar Park.
“It was tough. I wasn’t training, I was racing. When we did 25km long runs, we averaged 03:55/km. It’s not easy to run with coach David. He’s not a slow runner and it’s amazing that he’s still running fast in his sixties. I actually couldn’t sleep for two weeks thinking that I was going to be paced by him at the race,” she said.
Her next big race is the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 5, where she hopes to finish the 56km ultra under 03:45, to better her 04:29:19 from last year.
BAC 50th anniversary
Silale wished the BAC a happy 50th anniversary, saying she’s proud to represent the club.
“I’m still new but the club is very supportive. They supported me from day one and I hope they do the same for others. Thanks to the founding members. It’s because of them that today I’m a member of one of the best athletics club in the country.”
Also Read: BAC’s Silale grabs fourth spot at marathon
