KZN stars impress at SA Champs
Stephen Mokoka continued his domination of South African distance running when he outran Gladwin Mzazi by 17 seconds to take the SA 10km title in 29:11 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Kgosi Tsosane won the bronze medal in a time of 29:48.
Nolene Conrad ran a personal best of 33 minutes 37 seconds to secure the ladies crown.
Conrad was just over a minute clear of runner-up Christine Kalmer.
Lebo Phalula was third - a further 80metres adrift in 34 minutes 54 seconds.
KwaZulu-Natal runners picked up two gold and two silver medals in the age group awards.
Andy Daly won his 50-59 age group in 39 minutes 30 seconds, while Janine Engels took silver in the corresponding ladies age group in 46:06.
Gill Tregenna added gold in the women’s 70 plus in 58:30, while Roger Bailey won the silver in the men’s 70 plus category.
Meanwhile, Tsotang Maine of Lesotho won the 18th Maritzburg City Marathon in two hours 25 minutes and 18 seconds over the weekend.
Cary Ann Smith was a clear winner in the ladies race and the only woman to get under three hours with a time of 2:57:13. Her Nedbank Club teammate, Fikile Mbuthuma, was runner-up in 3:03:05.
Over 6 000 runners took part in the weekend’s events, which commenced with the inaugural trail runs along the uMzindusi river banks.
Trevor Stone became the first Maritzburg Trail Run winner recording an impressive 32 minute six second for the 7km route, which took runners from Commercial Weir to the N3 bridge across the river and back.
The first woman to complete the short distance event was Sarah Dixon who recorded 36:24.
The trail runs attracted a full house of 300 runners.
Maritzburg City Marathon
42km
Men: 1 Tsotang Maine LES 2:25:18, 2 Sandile Makhaye Phuma 2:25:39, 3 Njabulo Mzibuko Mxed Elite 2:26:14, 4 Maropalla Mosoeunyane Ned 2:26:58, 5 Gilbert Mutandiro Maxed Elite 2:28:22
Ladies: 1 Cary Ann Smith Nedbank 2:57:13, 2 Fikile Mbuthuma Nedbank 3:03:05, 3 Debbie Perry Boxer 3:08:10, 4 Shani Silver Westville 3:10:11, 5 Helen Buley Collegians Harriers 3:12:10
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
- Norrie Williamson
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave