The fourth and final league of the Nelson Mandela Bay Cross Country Series took place in perfect weather conditions on Saturday, 24 June, at Bergsig High School fields in Kariega.
A superb turnout of 545 athletes competed for qualifying times prior to the EP Cross Country Championships and selection into the EPA Cross Country team.
Once again both schools and clubs had an impressive turnout with Framesby High School currently at the top of the EPA Cross Country School League chart and Atlantic Aces leading the EPA Club League. EP Athletics cross country chairperson, Attie Williams, applauded the support of the athletes.
“The competition between clubs and schools has been tough and we are looking forward to the Eastern Province Championships on Saturday, 22 July, when athletes will be awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals for all their category achievements,” reported Attie.
The 10km race was won by Cwenga Nose, running for Ikhamva athletics club, in a time of 33.00, with Thabang Mosiako, of Nedbank running club, and Melikhaya Frans, of Ikhamva, hot on his heels in second and third position in 33:01 and 33.02.
Refiloe Solomons, of Nedbank running club, was the first woman to finish the 10km in 44.09. Asanda Zamisa, of Madibaz, finished second in 45.56, followed by Siphosethu Mavatha, running for Sibaleka Nani athletics club, in 46.55.
Sibahle Maqwara, of Nedbank running club, led the charge in the 4km men’s race and won in an excellent time of 12.41, followed Lithebe Menzelelei, of Ikhamva, in second place in 12.50. Packson Banda, of Chillies athletics club, finished in third position in 12.56.
Kayla Nell, of Charlo running club, was once again the first woman to finish the 4km in 15:41. She was followed by Refiloe Solomons of Nedbank running club, in 16.16, with Keara Domingo, of Tuks Sport, in third position in 17.05.
Athletes will now be training for the EPA Championships followed by the Inter-Provincial planned to prepare the athletes for the upcoming National Championships in September.