Clubs shine on the podium in Tsakane

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC)’s Chelsea van Dyk was a notable absentee at coach Michael van Aswegen’s camp during the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA)’s second cross-country meeting in Tsakane on May 20.

But Van Dyk’s absence was a welcome relief for East Athletic Club (EAC) middle-distance sensation Mathapelo Ntanda, who admitted it allowed her to grab the top spot.

Ntanga won the girls’ U13 3km event on a course where a lack of hills was made up for by pools of water and thicker grass behind the Faranani Multipurpose Centre.

“If Chelsea were here, I would have obtained the second spot,” Ntanda said. “She is someone I pace myself with. She’s a good runner. It would have been nice to have her here.”

She added this duel had given her extra motivation to work on her speed and strength so that one day she would finish ahead of Van Dyk.

“Whenever she’s here, I know we will be one and two on the podium. She’s given me motivation to work harder, and since I’ve started racing with her, I’ve improved.”

The EAC had four athletes obtain four podium positions, with Thato Sesoko, Mahlatse Mamonyane and Dineo Nzuza in the top three in their categories.

“We appreciate the way our runners performed, but the journey continues. We are building towards the nationals in August, so we have a larger contingent representing Gauteng in Gqebera,” said coach Victor Raseane.

While the girls shone, the boys struggled in their categories, especially in the marquee 4km, 6km, 8km and 10km events.

“It’s not easy, but we have a plan which we have implemented already. The boys are in a programme which, from our analysis, we expect them to be at peak fitness around July so they can be in shape for the provincial finals,” Raseane added.

Van Aswegen told the Benoni City Times he decided to give some of his top performers a rest to try and manage their racing this season.

Among those from Van Aswegen’s camp was Jesse Mcgalpine, who earned second place in the first meeting in Thokoza on May 6.

Although he didn’t finish in the top three in the U10 boys’ 2km, he said he found the race better than his last.

“It was fun. I enjoyed it, but I think I could have done better. The course was confusing and a little tough because of the water and length of grass,” Jesse said.

Mcgalpine’s teammate Ava Brownlee shone earlier on when she won the girls’ U8 1km in the event’s opening race.

CGA general manager Mandla Radebe was pleased with the turnout and said how the athletes performed was encouraging.

“We hope the coaches will assist us to maintain this level,” he said.

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