Boksburg runners show mettle at cross-country league
The event was held at Marivate Park in Daveyton and it attracted the province's best upcoming, elite and veteran runners.
Samantha Coetzer and Maphuti Majetja led the Boksburg charge during the fourth Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) league meeting at Marivate Park, in Daveyton, on June 28.
The Nedbank Running Club’s Coetzer displayed incredible form to win the open women’s 10km race, while Majetja of Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) finished second in a fast and thrilling senior men’s 4km.
With the season at the halfway point, the athletes showed their determination on a challenging course designed to test their endurance and agility as the race to the provincial championships heated up.
Speaking to the Benoni City Times prior to his race, Majetja said he would participate in the 4km to work on his speed, which will give him an advantage in his usual 10km race.
“Because of the fast nature of the 4km, it’s a perfect race for me to work on my speed,” he said.
With former national 10km record holder Precious Mashele and the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Sanele Msomi on the field, the two-lap race was expected to be fast.
It lived up to expectations, with a pack led by Msomi and Mashele catching and passing runaway leader Karabo Ntholeng just after the first lap. They were followed closely by Tharollo Maja, Majetja, and Mamepe Striders’ Nando Mafuyeka.
Msomi eventually won the race in 12:50, with Majetja nine seconds off the pace after crossing the line in 12:59. Mafuyeka completed the top three in 13:12.
Coetzer is gearing up for the 10km at the ASA cross country championships in September, which will serve as a trial to select a team for next year’s World Cross Country Championships.
The Bardene resident stormed out of the starting blocks and settled firmly in front to lead the women’s race. After the first lap, she had an unassailable lead over UJ’s Noluthando Mampane.
She ultimately clocked 43:08 to finish first over the five-laps of the course.
Other results
The BAC’s Michael Pienaar ran an incredible race in the open men’s 10km.
Running with his right shoulder slightly higher than his left, the middle-distance runner maintained a steady pace throughout, and was unfazed by the speed set by the eventual top three of Lesetja Papo, Olympian Ryan Mphahlele and Boikanyo Motlhamme.
He ultimately finished 16th in the five-lap race, clocking 35:10.
Deirdre Ferreira, also of BAC, finished the veteran women’s 4km in 23:41, while Mholi Zwane was 15th in 07:08 in the senior men’s 2km. Youngster Shoeshoe Sithole clocked 11:43 in the U12 girls’ 2km.
Qhubeka AC’s Rethabile Mphuthi finished the U13 girls’ 3km in 15:14, while Wamuhle and Wakhumzi Nkomo clocked 20:38 and 06:07 in the U12 girls’ 3km and U8 girls’ 1km, respectively.
Otshepegile Ramohlale finished the U13 girls’ 4km in 22:51.
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