Doran reigns supreme
She won the U18 women's 2 000m steeplechase at the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 track and field championships.
Steeplechase prospect Jade Doran elevated her bronze medal from last year’s nationals to gold on March 29 during the ASA junior and youth track and field championships in Cape Town.
After settling for a bronze at last year’s championships in Pretoria, Doran flaunted her immense talent on the blue Green Point Athletics Stadium tartan track to win the U18 women’s 2 000m steeplechase.
The Benoni High learner clocked a massive PB 07:07.27 to win the race, chalking 19.8 seconds off her previous best mark of 07:27.03, clocked at altitude during the Gauteng schools championships at Pilditch Stadium on March 7.
Doran looked comfortable throughout, running a similarly tactical and disciplined race that led to her victory at the CGA champs on March 15, where she won in 07:36.50.
She eventually clinched her first national title ahead of Athletics Central North West’s (ACNW) Luchè van der Berg, who clocked 07:15.91 for the silver. Selmarie Erasmus of Western Province Athletics (WPA) was third in 07:18.49.
The gold in the steeplechase was a massive relief for the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) middle distance runner after finishing eighth in the 1 500m on March 28 in 04:36.27.
It was a successful championship for the BNAC with three golds and four top 10 finishes, with one athlete finishing inside the top 30.
Chelsea van Dyk won the U16 girls’ 1 500m and 3 000m races, making it six national titles since September. She won the 1 500m in a PB 04:22.39 and clocked 09:41.22 in the 3 000m.
Tamica Lloyd finished eighth in a PB 05:31.32 in the U16 girls 1 500m steeplechase while Kgalalelo Shuping was also eighth in the U16 boys 1 500m, crossing the line in 04:11.19 in his first ever nationals.
Sprinter Logan Oosthuizen was eighth in the U16 boys’ 400m, finishing the one-lap dash in 52.03. Mheho Mhlongo was 25th in the U16 boys’ 1 500m steeplechase. He finished the race in 04:36.27 in his maiden nationals.
After three days of thrilling competition across four age groups, Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) was overall champions with 168 medals (74 gold, 48 silver and 46 bronze).
ACNW was second with 24 golds, 21 silver and 15 bronze medals. CGA finished third with 23 golds, 22 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Also Read: Van Dyk wins three titles at CGA champs
Also Read: Top-six spot beckons Doran
