The East Athletic Club (EAC) hosted a successful cross-country exhibition that attracted some of the province’s top middle-distance athletes during the fourth CGA Cross Country League meeting in Daveyton on June 20.

Held in unforgiving conditions as a cold front swept through Gauteng, athletes from the U8 to senior age groups braved the chilly weather, tackling distances ranging from 1km to a gruelling 10km on a demanding 2km circuit at Marivate Park.

“We are happy with the event, despite being worried in the build-up because of limited resources. But we managed to pull through thanks to our members and the support of the community,” said deputy chairperson Sbongile Nkosi.

Nkosi said the event also served as a tribute to the club’s late chairperson, Isaac Ndlovu, a former CGA development officer whose legacy continues to inspire the club following his untimely death in a motor vehicle accident last September.

“It was a fitting tribute to Isaac. He loved this club and, in his honour, we want to continue hosting this event. He would have been happy with how everything went today. He loved athletics development with his whole heart,” said Nkosi.

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Despite hosting a largely successful event with modest resources, club secretary Phindile Nzuza echoed Nkosi’s sentiments, saying the achievement was the result of a collective effort.

“Our members pulled through. The parents were there for us. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event,” she said.

The action on the challenging course was equally exciting as athletes such as Chris Mhlanga, Kabelo Mulaudzi and Zenzile Pheko delivered commanding performances.

Boxer AC’s Mhlanga dominated the senior and U23 men’s 4km race, covering two laps of the course in a blistering 12:28 to finish 15 seconds ahead of national 4km champion Sbusiso Msibi.

In the women’s race, Zanele Maisa of Waterfall AC claimed line honours in a dominant 15:06, crossing the finish line 1:02 ahead of her nearest rival.

Helpmekaar’s Chemenè Mentz won the youth, junior and senior women’s 2km race in 7:29, while Keamogetsoe Letsoalo claimed victory in the men’s event in 6:10.

Pheko, also representing Boxer AC, brought the programme to a thrilling conclusion with a dominant victory in the senior men’s 10km race. The national cross-country championships silver medallist covered five laps of the course in 31:43, finishing more than a minute ahead of Tumelo Lerumo of UJ.

Kedibone Mohwang of Mamepe Striders won the women’s 10km race in 42:04, edging Kgomotso Shopane of UJ by six seconds.

The next CGA Cross Country League meeting will be hosted by Waterfall AC in Kwa-Thema on July 4.

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