Andreas triumphs in Durban
Student track star, Jeromy Andreas, sprinted to his first senior SA 10km road championship title in Durban on Sunday.
Andreas won in a time of 29 minutes and three seconds on the fast flat two-lap course that interlinked Kings Park Athletics track and Moses Mahbida Stadium.
The University of Johannesburg runner stole the day with a 200m finishing sprint that opened a gap of 15 metres over Central Gauteng's Namakoe Nkhasi.
In near ideal conditions, the athletes completed the first lap in 14 minutes 26 seconds before being whittled down to five. South West Districts runner, Lloyd Bosman, spearheaded the group at 7km with SA marathon champion, Bennidict Moeng, and Xolisane Zamkele losing contact over the next two kilometres.
It was down to Bosman, Andreas and Nkhasi as they entered the final kilometre after 26 minutes 14 seconds. Bosman faultered with 500 metres remaining, while Andreas saved his kick for the final entry to the athletics track where his charge proved too powerful for Nkhasi.
“The first lap was fairly easy but the pace picked up on the second lap. It was my track speed that gave me the win," said Andreas.
“It was a really enjoyable course - it was fast. The crowd was awesome. I'm very pleased with the race. It’s only my second year as a senior and I’ve been selected for the World Student Team, done well on the track, and now this. Everything is falling into place,” Andreas added.
Nkhasi may have lost the title, but he added the junior crown to his silver medal recording 29:06, one of the top ten fastest times ever in the age group. The 19-year-old was also the leading scorer in the Central Gauteng quartet who took the team gold ahead of Western Province and Gauteng North.
The majority of the athletes enjoyed the two-lap course that interlinked Moses Mahbida Stadium and the athletics track and saw athletes receiving rousing encouragement from fans.
The event doubled as the SA Masters championships with a battle for medals across twenty age group categories.
Kwazulu-Natal athletes had a useful day at the office winning four gold, seven silver and four bronze medals in the various age groups. Roger Bailey earned his gold in the 70-74 age group in 46:05, while Janine Carey won the 40-44 age group in a fast 37:13. The other gold medals came from Liem Botha in the 65-69 and Gill Tregenna in the 70-74 categories.
The province's best overall performance came from Nedbank's Cary Ann Smith who placed fifth in the ladies in 35 minutes and 48 seconds.
(File Photo:Anesh Debiky:Gallo Images)
- Norrie Williamson