Kemang Khunonyane and Samantha Coetzer delivered dominant performances to secure the men’s and women’s titles at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Half Marathon Championships, incorporated into the Benoni Northerns Marathon, on April 19.

The race formed part of the province’s qualifier for the ASA Road Running Championships (21.1km, 5km and 1 mile), set to be held during the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon in Gqeberha in July, with athletes vying for spots to represent CGA on the national stage.

Khunonyane, the 2022 Johnson Crane Marathon winner, clocked 01:10:35 to clinch the men’s title. UJ’s Thabo Mohokane finished second, 4:50 adrift, while veteran James Mgcina of SAPS completed the podium a further six seconds back.

Coetzer marked a triumphant return from injury, claiming the women’s title in 01:21:22. The Boxer AC athlete was followed by veteran Salome Cooper of Jeppe Quondam, who took second place in 01:28:10, with Boxer’s Elizabeth Potter rounding out the podium just 10 seconds later.

In the veteran categories, Sikhumbuzo Seme and Tebogo Mokgosinyane emerged victorious. Seme secured the men’s title in 01:16:08, ahead of Ntsako Maluleke of Manoni (01:16:26), while Boksburg AC’s Isaac Mokgola claimed third in 01:18:17.

Mokgosinyane dominated the women’s veteran race, crossing the line in 01:28:15 — nearly eight minutes ahead of runner-up Susan Sloan of Nedbank Running Club. Lettie Seabela of SAPS finished third, 2:47 behind Sloan.

Mgcina added the master men’s title to his overall third-place finish, while Cooper also secured the master women’s crown to go with her silver medal in the main race.

With entries for the championships selling out quickly, CGA road running commission chairperson Cindy Nkomo confirmed that athletes who missed out still have a pathway to qualification.

“CGA acknowledges that some athletes intending to qualify for selection to represent the province at the National Half Marathon Championships in July may not have secured an entry.

“To ensure fairness, CGA has resolved to consider results from any sanctioned half-marathon event held between May 1 and 31. Results from events after this period will not be accepted,” said Nkomo.

Nkomo added that athletes wishing to be considered for selection must submit their requests in writing to mandla@centralgautengathletics.co.za, accompanied by official proof of results (certificate or results link).

The closing date for submissions is June 5.

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