Papo delivers dominant victory at cross country league
He won the men's 10km race in 31:41 after leading from gun to tape.
Tsakane resident Lesetja Papo capped a successful sixth Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) cross-country league meeting with a dominant performance in the open men’s 10km race at Charl Baard Stadium in Brakpan on July 26.
Due to a waterlogged field at Tsakane Softball Complex, behind the Faranani Multipurpose Centre, the event was moved to Brakpan.
Papo, of Maxed Elite, ran the five laps of the course in 31:41 for his second consecutive victory in the distance after clinching the win in league four in Daveyton on June 28.
Papo surged to the front from the gun and never looked back as he led the race from start to finish, laying waste to a field that included his Maxed Elite teammate Karabo Ntholeng and Inkamana AC’s Sakhile Sangweni.
Mokaedi Pheko was seven seconds off the pace after crossing the line in 31:48 for second place. Kopano Athletic Club’s Kutlwano Molotsi clinched the last podium place in 32:25.
In other notable results from Kwatsaduza athletes, Thabo Masina of Waterfall AC clocked 34:39 for 10th in the men’s 10km.
Mamepe Striders’ Lefa Kwanele ran the two laps of the course in 13:21 for fourth place in the U23 men’s 4km race, finishing behind winner Cornè de Fouw.
Tshepo Letsolo of Cool Runnings finished second, and Tshepo Motsoeneng of Boxer was third.
Kedi Mohwang placed fifth in the senior women’s 2km with a time of 08:41, while Simphiwe Radebe was fifth in the junior women’s 2km, clocking 08:49.
In the juniors’ events, Langaville’s Zanele Mzizi proved again why she was one of CGA’s top junior talents with an incredible performance in the girls’ U14 4km. She clocked 15:46 for second place, finishing behind the dominant Chelsea van Dyk of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club.
Mzizi’s teammate Thoko Ndlovu claimed second in the U12 girls’ 3km (10:24), while Minenhle Kgaphola secured third in the U13 girls’ 3km (11:20). Witness Parara placed fifth in his race.
Maletsatsi Mnisi of Tsakane AC clocked 16:57 in the U17 girls’ 4km for third, and Mamepe’s Thabiso Jiyane finished fourth in the U12 boys’ 3km.
The focus now shifts to the provincial championships on August 16 in Germiston.
CGA cross-country commission chairperson, Val Brentano, said the athletes will be fighting for the top six spots to be considered for selection for the ASA cross-country championships in Middleburg during September.
“Athletes are reminded that they must run at least three out of six leagues plus the CGA Championships to be considered for selection to represent the province,” she said.
Also Read: In Pictures: CGA cross-country league meeting at Marivate Park
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