Though it was a tough race against some of the best runners in the country in her age-group, Emma Hickley will draw plenty of encouragement from her impressive performance at the ASA cross country championships on September 5.

She led the Benoni Harriers charge on a challenging Curro Hazeldean course peppered with sand, rolling hills, a water jump, mud, logs and steep climbs, finishing 11th in the U16 girls’ 4km and 19th overall in the race, which was combined with the U17 girls’ event.

The Hoërskool Hans Moore learner found herself in the middle of the field after the opening lap, trailing the leading group that included defending champion Lara Stander of Boland and her CGA teammate Sunè-Louise Prinsloo.

Hickley eventually covered the two laps in 15:16.12 to secure 11th place in her category, improving on the 13th position she achieved at last year’s championships in Middelburg.

Stander successfully defended her title in dominant fashion, crossing the finish line in 14:03.92 to win the combined race. Athletics Transkei’s Siphokazi Mojaki was second in 14:23.13, while Prinsloo completed the overall podium in 14:33.37.

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn Mackay will also take confidence from her performance as she returned to the national championships for the first time in two years.

Although she found the two laps of the undulating 2km course tough, Mackay completed the U17 girls’ race in 16:55.37, providing a valuable confidence boost ahead of this weekend’s Gauteng Schools cross country championships at Curro Sagewood in Midrand.

Nicola Smith, who finished second overall behind Stander in the combined race, won the U17 girls’ title in 14:07.33.

Athletics Gauteng North’s Bianca Stoltz finished second in 14:25.01, with teammate Minkè Dekker third in 14:29.29.

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