VANDERBIJLPARK – The dust was flying and running shoes were pounding the ground as 258 athletes descended on Kollegepark Laerskool for the Athletics Vaal Triangle (AVT) Cross Country Championships over the weekend.
The championship brought together runners ranging from under-8 competitors to veteran men aged 74, with athletes from 19 clubs battling it out for honours in their respective categories.
For the younger runners, the event was about more than crossing the finish line.
It was an opportunity to test their endurance, gain valuable race experience and prove themselves against some of the Vaal’s best cross-country athletes.
Cross-country AVT chairperson Beaulah Valentin said the championship formed part of a broader league programme aimed at identifying athletes who could represent the region at national level.
“There were 258 athletes from the U8 age group up to veteran men aged 74 years,” Valentin said.
The participating clubs included Boxer AC, Blue Runnings AC, Actom AC, Future Champs AC, Vaal AC, Nedbank AC, Lekoa AC, Monnies AC, Masai AC, TAC AC, Hoekies AC, Dimathi AC, VUT AC, Meyerton AC, Vultures AC, Suikerbos AC, Khanya Lesedi AC, Rand Water AC and Heidelberg AC, with Germiston Callies AC also participating as a visiting club.
Valentin said the athletes had been competing in five AVT cross-country leagues, with the championships serving as another crucial step towards national selection.
“The clubs are hosting five leagues and the championship, and the athletes participate in these to qualify to be selected for the AVT cross-country team to participate at the ASA Cross-Country Championships on September 5, 2026, in Pretoria,” she said.
The top three athletes in each category were rewarded with AVT medals, adding another incentive for runners to give their best on the challenging course.
According to Valentin, cross-country presents different challenges depending on the venue, with some courses testing runners on difficult terrain while others favour speed.
“The cross-country courses are different. Some are difficult, while others are flat and fast,” she said.
But beyond medals and selection, Valentin said the discipline plays an important role in developing athletes who can later make their mark in track and field.
“Cross-country is mostly about developing the athletes. From cross-country, they go on to do track and field,” she said.
The region has also produced athletes who have progressed to the highest levels of the sport.
Valentin highlighted Anele Motsoso, who represented South Africa at the World Cross Country event in January 2026, as an example of what can be achieved through the sport.
Despite the steady growth in participation, Valentin said AVT continues to face challenges, particularly when it comes to transporting athletes to league events.
“The biggest challenge is transport for our athletes to the leagues,” she said.
She added that the association was also battling to retain athletes as they progressed into high school, with many moving to larger schools in Johannesburg.
“Every year we are growing in numbers. We are not a big province, and when athletes start high school, we lose them to big schools in Johannesburg,” Valentin said.
Despite these challenges, she praised the team behind the championships for helping ensure the event ran smoothly.
“I had a great group of ladies and gentlemen helping,” she said.
With the local championships now done, the focus shifts to Pretoria, where the region’s top runners will compete at the ASA Cross-Country Championships.
Valentin said the event would be the next major milestone for AVT athletes hoping to take their careers to the next level.
She also thanked the runners, coaches, parents and supporters who contributed to the success of the season.
“I want to thank the athletes for their commitment and the coaches for their time, and the parents and supporters for being there for your child, driving them to the leagues and championships,” she said.
