Central Gauteng distance-running ace Zanele Maisa continues to hit new heights after adding a maiden international title to her growing list of achievements.

Barely two weeks after claiming her first national title at the ASA 10km Championships in Potchefstroom on October 17, the KwaThema athlete was crowned the women’s 10km champion at the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Marathon on November 1.

Maisa, representing South Africa, clocked 35:34 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to secure the regional crown, after finishing runner-up at the Thembisa Mile 10km race on October 25.

The championships featured athletes from six Southern African countries and were held alongside a mass participation event.

Although Maisa finished third overall behind Glenrose Xaba (33:48) and Lesotho’s Agnes Tjoka (35:12), she was crowned the regional champion after finishing 17 seconds ahead of Namibia’s Angala Tuuliki and Shiirommene Shilongo, who clocked 36:27 for third place.

In the men’s 10km contest, national 10km champion Tiisang Molopi clinched the regional title in 29:57. South Africa’s Chris Mhlanga claimed overall victory in 29:48.

South Africa also celebrated success in the half-marathon, with Bennet Seloyi and Namibia’s Laivinia Haitope crowned the men’s and women’s regional champions respectively. Both took home R50 000 in prize money.

Also Read: Maisa storms to first national title at ASA champs

Seloyi, who won the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberly Big Hole Marathon a week earlier, produced a strong late surge to overhaul Kenyan Stephen Kangethe, who competed individually in the mass participation race.

The former SA Marathon champion, from Thembisa, powered home in 01:04:39 to secure victory for South Africa.

In the women’s half-marathon, Haitope dethroned defending champion Irvette van Zyl, also competing as an individual, to claim the title in 01:14:41.

South Africa completed a clean sweep of the regional 5km titles through Musawenkosi Mnisi and Mpho Katiso.

Mnisi clocked 13:56, finishing three seconds behind overall winner and defending champion Modupe Tladi, while Katiso claimed the women’s title in 17:44.

More than 5,200 elite and social runners participated in the event, a joint initiative involving AUSC Region 5, the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the City of Tshwane, the Southern African Confederation of Athletics, and Athletics South Africa.

Also Read: Mulaudzi and Maisa secure dominant victories at CGA meet in Kwa-Thema