Betana wins race-walking at BNAC Marathon

Provincial 10 000m champion Tebogo Betana led from the start to the finish to secure the men’s 21.1km race-walking title at the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) Marathon on April 13.

The Waterfall City AC walker clocked 02:23:14, with runner-up Prince Mbonani 55 seconds off the pace after crossing the line in 02:24:08. Veteran walker Sarel Smith completed the top three in 02:44:06.

At the start of the race, Betana toed the line with Mbonani and as soon as the gun went off, he wasted no time, striding to the front to assume control of the race.

Mbonani trailed behind, with the winner of the women’s race, Thubelihle Chileng alongside him. With Betana in the lead and Mbonani and Chileng not far behind, they moved away from a large chasing pack with ease as they continued to stride forward.

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Betana maintained his lead and eventually arrived at the finish unchallenged to finish the race at 02:24:00.
Chileng, meanwhile, dropped Mbonani along the route and began to chase down the leading man, Betana. She arrived on the finishing straight not far behind Betana and ultimately breasted the tape in 02:23:56 to win the women’s event.

Chileng crossed the line 42 seconds after Betana underlined her strength on the road and highlighted her progress in the sport to become one of the CGA’s leading female walkers.
Veteran walker Colette Marett of Team Vitality clocked 02:44:06 for second place, while another veteran, Marthie Homan, clinched the last podium position in 02:56:06.

Matseba dominates the 10km race
In the 10km event, Cassius Matseba of Boxer was in exceptional form, winning the men’s title after a dominant race he led from the gun to the finish.
Matseba, third in the senior men’s 10 000m in 50:22.97 at the CGA open track and field champs in March, clocked 52:38 for victory.

Lebeauf von Benecke clinched the runner-up spot in 64 minutes, while Hennie Jooste was third in 01:04:43 for the bronze.

Anne Centner won the women’s race in 01:13:39. Julie Gower was 51 seconds off the pace after clocking 01:14:30 for second place. Mariet Geyer of Nedbank completed the top three in 01:17:47.
BNAC walkers, including Sandra Forbes Madsen, Leana Kruger, Jenny Dawson, and Marlene van Heerden, also participated in the race.

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