The presence of the country’s elite runners may have made Christina Silale nervous at the start, but once the gun went off, the Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) standout trusted her training and raced to national glory in scorching conditions in Potchefstroom.

Silale and Isaac Mokgola flew the BAC flag high when they represented Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) at the ASA 10km Championships, incorporated into the Let’s Go Potch Marathon at JB Marks Oval on October 17.

The Wattville runner claimed the master women 50-59 title in a personal best 40:01, comfortably beating Western Province Athletics’ Sharon Nel, who finished second in 42:43. CGA teammate Phyllis de Fouw completed the podium in 44:41.

“I was so happy to represent CGA. I felt a little bit nervous, but I remembered that my coach, David Gamede, told me to trust my training,” she said.

Despite the scorching conditions, Silale remained composed, drawing confidence from her regular training in the heat. The flat course also suited her as she maintained her pace to secure the title.

“It was hot, but I didn’t feel it because I always trained in the heat. The road was nice and flat. I ran as fast as I could and felt comfortable. No woman in my category was chasing me, and I also ran a PB. I was happy to cross the line first in my category without fighting anyone for the title,” she said.

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Mokgola, meanwhile, finished 14th in the veteran men 40-49 race in 34:49, placing second among the CGA athletes. Omo Hlungwani won the category in 31:56.

CGA success

CGA enjoyed a productive outing, collecting 10 medals, including four golds.

Zanele Maisa led the charge by winning the senior women’s title in 35:44. Daveyton’s Maria Shai finished fifth in 37:01, while Nicole Smith placed ninth overall and claimed silver in the junior women’s race in 37:31.

Tebogo Mokgosinyane secured bronze in the veteran women 40-49 race in 39:39, with teammate Jessica Maitland-Stuart finishing sixth in 41:41.

In the senior men’s race, Mokaedi Pheko was CGA’s leading finisher, placing fifth in 30:06. Lefa Kwanele followed in sixth in 30:21.

Tshiamo Mpshe claimed junior men’s gold in 30:42, edging teammate Kamogelo Rathwakga, who took silver in 30:44. Kgothatso Monnatlala (31:39), Tshepang Ntlatla (31:39) and Thabang Maboe (31:46) finished seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.

CGA also celebrated success in the master men 50-59 race, where Matome Charles Moloto won gold in 32:48 and Mpho Lebese claimed bronze in 34:32.

Thulebona Mokoena added bronze in the grandmaster men’s race in 37:30, while Thabo Tsie finished fourth in 37:42.

Also Read: BAC’s Silale and Mokgola to represent CGA at national 10km champs