Staff Reporter.
The SA squad delivered a superb all-round effort on Saturday, securing the bronze medal in the men’s team event at the IAU 100km World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
As expected, a strong Japanese team dominated the men’s individual race, with Haruki Okayama securing the gold medal in 6.12.10.
His countryman, Jumpei Yamaguchi, earned silver in 6.17.19, with Piet Wiersma of the Netherlands taking bronze in 6.18.47.
However, while the strength of the SA team had been somewhat restricted due to a clash with the popular Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal the following day, the squad had enough depth to reach the podium.
Japan won the team contest in 18:51:12, with the performances of the top three athletes taken into account.
France took second place in 19:55:10 and South Africa – consisting of Jonas Makhele, Mahlomola Sekhonyana, Renier Grobler, Zukile Vellem, Craig Cynkin and Bongelani Mkhwanazi – finished third in 20:05:58.
In the women’s race, Floriane Hot of France won gold in 7.04.03, with the United States winning the team competition in 22:14:46.