Benoni Northerns AC (BNAC) middle-distance youngster Nolwazi Magwaza showcased her range and class when she edged out Joanne Khama in a thrilling sprint finish to win the 3km race on her debut over the distance at the seventh CGA cross-country league meeting in Tsakane on August 1.

The victory was Magwaza’s fourth consecutive league triumph after dominating three 2km races earlier in the season. She held off a determined challenge from United Stars AC’s Khama and Lesedi Dhladhla of East Athletic Club to maintain her unbeaten record.

Having spent the season competing in the 2km, where she posted a season’s best of 07:54 at the fifth league meeting in Kwa-Thema, Magwaza adapted comfortably to the extra kilometre. She crossed the line in 13:01, three seconds ahead of Khama (13:04), while Dhladhla completed the podium two seconds later.

The Daveyton resident now looks well placed to defend her provincial title at the provincials on August 15, having claimed league victories in Dobsonville, Daveyton, Kwa-Thema and now Tsakane, where the longer race provided an ideal endurance test.

Chelsea van Dyk continued her dominance in the U15 girls’ 4km, storming to victory in 15:31, 55 seconds clear of Helpmekaar’s Hailey Evans.

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Jade Doran finished second in the U17 girls’ 4km in 16:46, while Kayla Botha claimed fourth place in the U13 girls’ 3km with a time of 13:18. Megan Deeble was the first youth woman home in the combined youth, junior and senior women’s 2km, clocking 08:40.

Madison Johnstone (08:40) and Alexia Visser (14:04) also secured top-10 finishes in their respective races.

Distance specialist Mpumelelo Mokoena led BNAC’s challenge in the highly competitive senior men’s 10km, which featured some of the province’s leading distance runners, including Prince Madume, Bennet Seloyi and Sibusiso Msibi.

Maintaining an average pace of 3:28/km, Mokoena finished sixth in 34:35, just 2:56 behind race winner Madume. Sabelo Simelane completed the demanding five-lap course in 37:59.

Among the younger athletes, Baxter Towers placed fifth in the U9 boys’ 2km in 08:25, while Brodi Brits finished sixth in the U8 boys’ 1km in 05:52.

The BNAC athletes will now turn their attention to the CGA cross-country championships at Germiston Soccer Club on August 15.

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