National champion Precious Mashele earned an impressive victory in the Senior Men’s 10km race on Saturday, while Kesa Molotsane stunned pre-race favourite Dominique Scott-Efurd to win the Senior Women’s contest at the 2019 ASA Cross Country Trials at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane.

Mashele held off a late challenge to emerge triumphant in the Men’s 10km battle, with the Central Gauteng (CGA) athlete crossing the line in 30:54. He finished eight seconds ahead of Rantso Mokopane (ACNW), while Pakiso Mthembu (AFS) was a further 14 seconds behind.

In the Women’s 10km race, Molotsane (AFS) surged clear to win in 37:25, holding off Olympic 10000m runner Scott-Efurd (WPA) by eight seconds. Consistent athlete Jenet Mbhele (KZNA) was third, though she finished well off the pace in 38:12.

Lebohang Phalula was disqualified after she breached the rule on display of sponsor logos despite prior advice by Technical Officials.

Seopesengwe Realebogo (CGA) won the Junior Men’s 8km race in 25:37.

The star athlete from Hoërskool Montana in the north of Pretoria, Carmie Prinsloo, coasted to a convincing victory in the Junior Women’s 6km contest clocking 21:57.

“We had a successful trial for the athletes to prove themselves and to contest for final places,” said Aleck Skhosana the President of Athletics of South Africa.

The event was very competitive and the organizers also had to make an effort to manage the program with regard to the high temperatures that prevailed in Pretoria on Saturday.

Based on the results of the trials, ASA will announce a team in due course for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which will take place in Denmark on 30 March this year.

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