Athletes hold Lowveld’s name high in Eastern Cape
The Mpumalanga cross-country team recently travelled all the way to Gqeberha to compete in the National Cross Country Championships. They returned victorious, having run some good times.
The Lowveld’s cross-country runners have been training the whole year for this competition. The 2023 Athletics South Africa (ASA) National Cross Country Championships took place in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on September 16.
The Mpumalanga athletes endured a long trip to get to the championships, but it was all worth it, as numerous of them placed inside of the top 10 in their respective age categories.
Two of the Lowveld’s very own stars made not only the province, but the region proud as they returned with medals around their necks.
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Sheba Sithole competed in the category for youth women (born in 2006 to 2007). She claimed the silver medal in her 2km race.
Another local, the youngster Keagan du Preez, tested his strength in the boys U9’s 2km race. He ended his race in the third place.
In the team categories, a few Lowveld runners also stood out above the rest. Chantal Middel-Bové (women 45) ran the 4km race and won a team silver, while the U8 athlete, Stiaan Pretorius, also received a team silver for his efforts in the 1km.
Ava Oosthuizen ran to a team third place and claimed bronze in the girls’ 15 race.
The seasoned Reyno van Vollenhoven (men 35) competed in the gruelling 8km race and also won a team bronze.
