Thuli Mbatha has set her sights on gold at the ASA cross-country championships at Curro Hazeldean in Pretoria on September 5, but if the top step of the podium proves elusive, the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) runner is determined to fight all the way for a medal.

Mbatha will represent CGA at the national showpiece after laying down a marker with one of her best performances of the season at the provincial championships at Germiston Soccer Club on August 15.

“I would be happy if I win. If I don’t, I will fight for a top three,” said Mbatha.

The BNAC athlete finished second in the women’s master 50-54 4km race, completing the two-lap course in 17:19 to claim silver.

She was beaten to the title by close friend Maria Vilakazi of Waterfall AC, who produced a dominant performance to win in 17:01, while Phyllis de Fouw of Boxer AC completed the podium, finishing three seconds behind Mbatha.

Reflecting on her performance at the CGA championships, which she described as a timely confidence booster ahead of nationals, Mbatha admitted she struggled to find her rhythm early in the race.

“The race was okay; it wasn’t fast. The problem was me. I don’t know if it was because of the weather. I tried, but my legs just couldn’t carry me,” she said.

“I wanted to be in the top three. In fact, I wanted a win, but my friend beat me to it. But I’m happy with my performance overall.”

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Mbatha goes into the nationals in fine form, having recorded three league victories and one runner-up finish in four of the CGA cross-country league meetings.

She opened her season with an 18:09 in the third league meeting in Dobsonville before clocking 18:42 in chilly and windy conditions in Daveyton in June.

She then broke the 18-minute barrier for the first time this season in league six at Kwa-Thema, winning in 17:28, before producing a season’s best 17:11 at the Westonaria league on July 18.

Mbatha attributes her improvement to a solid training programme.

“We trained well. We did our speed, endurance and strength sessions. I’ve improved a lot this season because I either won my league races or finished second. This showed that I’m on the right path.”

The athlete also paid tribute to the athletics talent emerging from Daveyton, where runners train at Sinaba Stadium and Marivate Park.

She hopes the growing interest in athletics will encourage more young people to take up the sport and provide an alternative to the social challenges facing the community.

“It means a lot. I wish a lot of children could join us so that we can put an end to the substance abuse problem affecting this community.”

Also Read: BNAC runners on top form at CGA cross-country champs