Staff Reporter.
Kesa Molotsane snatched a thrilling victory in the senior women’s race and local favourite Mbuleli Mathanga destroyed his opposition to win the men’s title at the ASA Cross Country Championships in Amanzimtoti, Durban on Saturday, which was Day 2 and final day.
The championship was held over two days, with Day 1 dedicated to the youngest category of 8-13 years, who provided a colourfull start, while the 14-49 years rounded off the two-day event.
In the women’s 10km race, Kyla Jacobs had broken clear of a small lead group on the last of five laps, but she succumbed to fatigue as her legs buckled and fell with the finish in sight. Molotsane, who was lurking just off the pace, stormed past to win gold in 37:19.
Jacobs managed to timely pick herself up to finish second in 37:25 and Jenet Mbhele grabbed the bronze medal in 37:32.
“I really feel so sad for her (Jacobs). She worked hard for these championships, but I wish her all the best and I hope she will win the title in future,” Molotsane said.
“It hasn’t really sunk in for me yet because I’m still thinking about what happened and I’m more concerned about my opponent, but maybe it will sink in later in the day.”
Mathanga dominated the men’s 10km race from the start, securing a convincing victory in 31:00. Reghen Magwai finished second in 31:21 and Bonginkosi Zwane was third in 31:26.
“The race was tough, but while we were running I could see most of the guys were fit and I realised I had to put them to the test,” said Mathanga, who went on to also bag the silver medal in the 4km race later in the day.
Mathanga’s coach, Mdu Khumalo, was delighted with the result after his athlete had struggled with side effects from a Covid vaccine in the build-up to the event.
“The way he won, if you look at the quality of the field that we had today, it was beyond my expectation,” said Khumalo, who also coaches Zwane.
In other races at the two-day Championships which featured a full range of age group contests, Ryan Mphahlele took the senior men’s 4km title in 11:55, holding off a late charge from Mathanga to win by one second.
Cian Oldknow won the women’s 4km race in 14:33
Gene Coetzee secured the junior women’s 6km title in 22:28, crossing the line 47 seconds ahead of her nearest opponent. Jason Bowers won the junior men’s 8km race in 25:31.
“Athletics was a winner again this weekend,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. “We had a wonderfull turnout of athletes within the national regulations. It was quite exciting to watch the young athletes in the ages 8 to 13 in the race of their lives.
“We congratulate all winners and participants for their achievements and good behaviour. ASA will now review the report of the championships and iron out what needs to be. We want this to be bigger and better next year, but we are very happy with the work of KZN Athletics in hosting this competition. We thank the parents and provinces in how they handled the participation of all athletes, young and senior.”