Marceghlle Wakefield, a learner of Jongspan Primary School and a member of the Smithathlons athletics club, showcased his speed in the u.12 1 200 m event during the Gauteng Athletics Championship in Germiston last weekend.
After being the runner up in the heat, he came third in the final race.
Although only the first and second placed athletes usually qualify for the nationals, Marceghlle’s finishing time of 3:40:48 was well in line to qualify him for the nationals. The inland qualifying time for the nationals is only 3:52 while the qualifying time for coastal athletes is 3:50, which he also could have made easily.
He also finished just on the heels of the winner and runner up of his race, two athletes from South Tshwane who came in, in respective times of 3:38:94 and 3:38:97.
The fact that he has qualified is a highlight for Marceghlle, who has come first in every race he has entered so far this year.
‘I really enjoy the running and would one day like to represent South Africa,’ says the young star.
Marceghlle started running when he was ten years old and has been trained by the star coach, Annetjie Smit for the past two years. He is one of only two athletes from Carletonville who have qualified for the nationals in Germiston from 14 to 16 March.
‘I would like to thank all members of my team, my school mates and my mom and dad, who are the best, and my coach,’ he says.