Doran leads Northerns charge at CGA cross-country champs
She won the U17 girls' 4km race.
After scorching the trails at the CGA cross-country championships on August 16, Jade Doran has made it clear: she’s done settling for less and is ready to chase her full potential.
Usually the queen of composure, the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner threw caution to the wind at the Germiston City Soccer Club, storming through two laps of the course in 13:10 to seize the U17 girls’ 4km crown.
“I’ve become more confident in myself. I know I will no longer be satisfied with being average anymore,” she said after her race.
The middle-distance and steeplechase sensation displayed great form, leading from gun to tape to dispatch a field stacked with the province’s top talent.
“The strategy was to be confident. Like my coach told me, I’m physically capable of winning; I just have to believe in myself. I did exactly that, and that’s why I won.”
The BNAC enjoyed a highly successful outing at the event, securing no less than six gold medals in a display of depth and consistency across the various age categories.
Chelsea van Dyk and Siyanda Madlabane successfully defended their provincial crowns, while Tumishang Seroko delivered a sensational performance to clinch her first CGA title.
It was a routine victory for Van Dyk as she once again displayed her dominance, leading the U14 girls’ 4km from the start to the finish to win in a comfortable 12:47.
Van Dyk, who won a distance double (1 500m and 3 000m) at the ASA age-group and multi-event championships in March, said this victory was a good build-up to the Confederation of School Sports Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Games in Eswatini.
“I’m feeling good. I’m leaving for the COSSASA Games this week. It’s good to be building up to that,” she said.
Madlabane laid down the marker with a sensational victory in the U14 boys’ 4km.
After a slow start, the reigning BNAC junior athlete of the year found himself wedged between his opponents in the first 200m, before the front bunch began to pick up the pace. Composed and running a well-measured race, he was neck-and-neck with Chumile Tshangela of Thembisa AC and Warriors of the West’s Atlehang Mokhobo going into the second lap.
He made his move on the last stretch before the descent opposite the clubhouse before entering the home straight, waving his hands to the crowd to record his second consecutive provincial cross-country crown.
“It was a beautiful race, very competitive. Today was all about building up for the nationals. I’m happy we managed to win. I want to thank coach Nkanyiso and our parents for their support,” he said.
Seroko claimed a commanding victory in the U12 girls’ 3km. In a mixed race of boys and girls, the Kempton Park resident was the only girl to remain in the front bunch after 1km, holding her place until she cut the tape in 10:24 to secure her first provincial title.
“It felt awesome to win. I struggled when the season started. This means a lot because I’ve never won a club’s provincial title.”
Nolwazi Magwaza clinched the U9 girls’ 2km crown, while Kgalalelo Shuping won the gold in the U15 boys’ 4km race.
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