Botha dominates race at league meeting
She won the U12 girls' 3km in 11:43.
Kayla Botha led from start to finish to win a thrilling U12 girls’ 3km race at the fourth Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) cross-country league meeting at Marivate Park in Daveyton on June 28.
The race showcased the youngster’s consistency and continued improvement, as she led from the start and never relinquished her lead. Setting a blistering pace, she left her competitors behind and crossed the line first in 11:43.
“I went out fast, but not so fast that I drained my energy. I also took the corners quickly to save time. It was easier after the first kilometre, but I had to push myself at the end,” she said.
Much of the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner’s consistency is due to her hard work. She now has her sights set on a stronger performance at the ASA Cross Country Championships in Middelburg in September.
“I’ve improved a lot. It’s also because of the hard work I’ve put in. We’re going to a training camp this week in Dullstroom, and I hope it will help me get faster. I’m going to keep improving so I can do better at the national champs.”
Other results
The BNAC runners once again showed their mettle in this league, leading the way with incredible performances in their events.
Girls
Tumishang Seroko finished third in the U12 3km race in 11:05.
In the U8 1km race, Ava Brits, Bontle Makgalemele, and Zahra-Lee Nelson finished sixth, eighth, and ninth respectively. Meanwhile, Nolwazi Magwaza and Dominique Broughton secured the top two spots for their club in the U9 2km event.
Magwaza won in 08:37, while Broughton clocked 08:50 for second place. Shayla Lloyd was eighth in the U10 2km race in 09:12. Chelsea van Dyk won the U14 2km in a dominant 07:11, while Tamica Lloyd finished sixth in 08:06.
Jade Doran clinched the youth women’s race in 07:34, with Megan Deeble finishing seventh in 09:03 and Cara Vorster ninth in 09:18.
Mathapelo Ntanga was ninth in her race. Benoni Harriers’ Emma Hickley and Kaitlyn Mackay finished fourth and third in the U15 and U16 4km races, respectively.
Kate van Jaarsveld clocked 17:54 for second place in the sub-veteran women’s 4km, while Bronwyn Nel and Kiana Pepler were third and fifth in the junior women’s 6km.Carina Maber and Sarah Kiet were sixth and 10th in the senior women’s 4km.
Boys
Bokamoso Nonyane led the way with first place in the U11 3km race, while Jordan Whittington, Oithekgile Tjege and Baxter Towers were eighth, ninth and tenth in the U8 1km.
Joshua Helena and Masungulo Tlaka finished second and third in the U10 2km and Henry Hamman completed the top three in the U9 2km race.
Mpumelelo Mokoena held his ground in a fast senior men’s 2km race, finishing fourth in 06:33, while Anele Skwatsha was fourth in the youth men’s 2km race in 06:33.
Siyanda Madlabane got back to winning ways with victory in the U14 4km, crossing the line in 13:03, with Kgalalelo Shuping and Samukelo Msibi finishing fourth and fifth in the U15 4km event, while Mheho Mhlongo was eighth.
The Harriers’ Ockett Winter finished fifth in the U16 and U17 4km race.
The fifth league meeting is in Westonaria on July 12.
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