Wind not good for Durban times
The north-easterly wind blew away many of the potential fast times in the first of the ASA Speed Series held in Durban’s Kings Park last night.
The short but sharp 90-minute main programme saw a number of the elite distance runners and sprinters open their season as they build towards the World Cross Country Championships in Lusaka on 26 March, and the longer goal of a place in South Africa’s team to the World Championships in London in August.
Elroy Gelant, whose goal is to make the top five in the World Championships, made the best of the conditions pushing through 5000m in 13:54, but running solo at the front of the field did well to pull together a 28:16.54 for the 25-lapper 10 000m
Gelant, who spent a month training in Kenya, is currently focused on making the Cross-Country team which expected to be announced later this week, but will return to Hengelo (Netherlands) with the hope of breaking not only his SA record of 13:04.88 set at last year’s meeting, but also dipping under the 13-minute barrier.
Irvette van Zyl’s do or die approach in the ladies 5000m saw her well clear of the other 13 athletes after only two laps, but at halfway she was caught by Kovsie student Kesa Molotsane, whose more conservative approach took her through to a 16:08.21 time. This was slower than her target of 16:04, but still a great performance in the conditions, while Van Zyl hung on grimly to finish in a disappointing 16:20.06.
The Olympic marathoner has put the 42km distance on the back burner for the time being and will be focusing on the Spar ladies series in the immediate future, as part of her comeback after the birth of her son, Louis.
Tuks sprinter and relay athlete Emile Erasmus looked to have the beating on 2015 200m World Champion Bronze medalist, Anaso Jobodwana, as they powered down the Kings Park home straight with a 3.9 m/s wind at their backs.
“My starts are still lacking but its very early in the season,” said Jobodwana who recently got married to Taylor Monae Jobodwana, and is also currently training in the country. “I don’t normally start my season so early, but I am happy with my final speed, and to have come through the last couple of races without injury and now I can start a more focused build-up.”
Jobodwana took the race a stride from the line to record 10.21 seconds with Erasmus 10.28, and Lebakeng Sesele third in 10.35.
Although he only finished fourth behind Jerry Motsao, who won the 1500m in 3:40.54, 18-year-old George Kusche provided possibly the performance of the night by taking a massive 12.36 seconds off his 1500 personal best.
The junior looks set to have the season of his life opening with a 600m of 1:17.86 in Pretoria at the end of January, hitting a blistering 2:29.08 in mid-February, and last night securing his third PB in five weeks.
Although conditions were not conducive to performances, the ASA speed series got off to a credible start, with many of the athletes positive about the four-event schedule that leads to the SA Championship in April.
One of the most enthusiastic being the new Mrs Jobodwana – Taylor Monae Jobodwana – who led the 200m field through the finish in 24.53 seconds.
“I really like it here (on the east coast). The people are so friendly and the facilities and training here in Durban is great. I really like that the Prime (Performance Centre) and the track are so close. In many ways its better than home (Phoenix Arizona).”
The series moves on to Bloemfontein on March 8, followed by Potchefstroom, (March 15) and Germiston (March 22).
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Elroy Gelant, whose goal is to make the top five in the World Championships, made the best of the conditions pushing through 5000m in 13:54, but running solo at the front of the field did well to pull together a 28:16.54 for the 25-lapper 10 000m
Gelant, who spent a month training in Kenya, is currently focused on making the Cross-Country team which expected to be announced later this week, but will return to Hengelo (Netherlands) with the hope of breaking not only his SA record of 13:04.88 set at last year’s meeting, but also dipping under the 13-minute barrier.
Irvette van Zyl’s do or die approach in the ladies 5000m saw her well clear of the other 13 athletes after only two laps, but at halfway she was caught by Kovsie student Kesa Molotsane, whose more conservative approach took her through to a 16:08.21 time. This was slower than her target of 16:04, but still a great performance in the conditions, while Van Zyl hung on grimly to finish in a disappointing 16:20.06.
The Olympic marathoner has put the 42km distance on the back burner for the time being and will be focusing on the Spar ladies series in the immediate future, as part of her comeback after the birth of her son, Louis.
Tuks sprinter and relay athlete Emile Erasmus looked to have the beating on 2015 200m World Champion Bronze medalist, Anaso Jobodwana, as they powered down the Kings Park home straight with a 3.9 m/s wind at their backs.
“My starts are still lacking but its very early in the season,” said Jobodwana who recently got married to Taylor Monae Jobodwana, and is also currently training in the country. “I don’t normally start my season so early, but I am happy with my final speed, and to have come through the last couple of races without injury and now I can start a more focused build-up.”
Jobodwana took the race a stride from the line to record 10.21 seconds with Erasmus 10.28, and Lebakeng Sesele third in 10.35.
Although he only finished fourth behind Jerry Motsao, who won the 1500m in 3:40.54, 18-year-old George Kusche provided possibly the performance of the night by taking a massive 12.36 seconds off his 1500 personal best.
The junior looks set to have the season of his life opening with a 600m of 1:17.86 in Pretoria at the end of January, hitting a blistering 2:29.08 in mid-February, and last night securing his third PB in five weeks.
Although conditions were not conducive to performances, the ASA speed series got off to a credible start, with many of the athletes positive about the four-event schedule that leads to the SA Championship in April.
One of the most enthusiastic being the new Mrs Jobodwana – Taylor Monae Jobodwana – who led the 200m field through the finish in 24.53 seconds.
“I really like it here (on the east coast). The people are so friendly and the facilities and training here in Durban is great. I really like that the Prime (Performance Centre) and the track are so close. In many ways its better than home (Phoenix Arizona).”
The series moves on to Bloemfontein on March 8, followed by Potchefstroom, (March 15) and Germiston (March 22).
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre