Athletics Central North West’s star runner, Elroy Gelant, reclaimed his SA 10 kilometre title this year with a fantastic victory in Mbombela on Saturday.
Representing Athletics Central North West (ACNW), Gelant launched a late kick in the men’s race, covering the distance in 29:08.
Gladwin Mzazi took the silver medal in 29:15 and fellow Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) team member Precious Mashele, the national cross country champion, was third in 29:17.
‘I’m very glad defending my title and I’m very happy with my performance today,’ said Gelant. ‘It was very technical from start to finish because around 8 to 10 km we were still about 10 guys.
‘So, I just focussed on my strength towards the end and my speed. The last kilometre Gladwin and I broke away and it was a sprint to the finish.
‘I’m glad (therefore) how the season went, especially after not going to IAAF World Champs for the 5 000m and (shift my) focus on the marathon. But the focus is a four-year plan and the big aim is the Tokyo Marathon. Possibly the year before 2020, I’ll do another marathon.’