Athletes give their all at 4th cross country league event
There was little disappointment during the fourth Cross Country league event in Westonaria.
Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) hosted the fourth Cross Country league event at the Simunye Gymnasium in Westonaria on Saturday, July 31.
The event was held in partnership with Tsogo Sun Hotels and the National Lotteries Commission.
CGA communications officer Atiso Molefe said the first event was the boys U/8 1km race where Matthew Strydom of BackTrack Athletics Club defended his title with a time of five minutes and 25 seconds.
“In his post-event interview, he thanked his fellow competitors for showing some fighting spirit to push forward,” said Molefe.
Natalie Strydom also from BackTrack won the U/13 2km race with a time of seven minutes and 56 seconds.
Molefe said one of the main events of the day was the senior men 4km event where Marko Bucarizza, one of the favourites, didn’t disappoint and claimed victory with a time of 12 minutes and 17 seconds.
“During his post-event interview, Bucarizza highlighted that he was excited to compete again after a few weeks of training without any competitions due to the lockdown regulations. He also sent his well-wishes to the athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and said everyone was in good spirit in support of Team South Africa in Tokyo.”
Cian Oldknow showcased her form in the senior women’s 4km race with a time of 14 minutes and 38 seconds. She can now add this win to her second and third league victories this season.
The 10km race was the last and a very competitive event, which saw Andries Sesedi and Kabelo Melamu battling it out for the victory in the last 4km.
Sesedi won with a time of 31 minutes and 35 seconds – his second victory of the season, while Melamu finished in a time of 31 minutes and 36 seconds.
The next league event will be hosted by Alberton Athletics Club at Alberton Dam on Saturday, August 14.
