Kiana Pepler and Emma Hickley produced sensational performances to secure victory in their events at the Johnson Crane Marathon at Willowmoore Park on January 25.

The Benoni Harriers junior runners flew the hosting club’s flag aloft in an event that attracted a record crowd in the marathon and half-marathon.

Pepler clocked a podium place in the women’s 10km race, which was peppered with controversy after runners ran an extra 2.57km due to marshalling errors. She was also the first junior woman at the finish.

The race was won by Waterfall AC’s Zanele Maisa, who represented the country at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in the USA. Lauren Kruger of Nedbank RC finished second, with Pepler completing the podium.

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Ockert Winter clinched the junior men’s title in the men’s 10km.

Hickley appeared on the finishing straight in her trademark smile as she won the women’s 5km.

The middle-distance athlete took the line honours in a dominant 21:39, crossing the line ahead of Lwandle Mkhize-Simelane, who was 03:57 adrift. Anzel Homan of Boxer grabbed the last podium spot in 25:54.

Gareth Jonas and Keagan Merifield added to the club’s success with scintillating performances in the men’s 5km race.

s beaten on the line by Jansen AC’s Ruben Delport after both runners crossed the line in 19:18, with Delport grabbing victory by one-thousandth of a second.

Merrifield completed the podium in 19:44 to seal a successful day for Coach Richard O’Donoghue.
The junior athletes will turn their attention to the CGA track and field season, which begins with the first league meeting at Germiston Stadium on Saturday.

Also Read: Pepler leads CGA junior women’s charge at champs