The NMB EP Cross Country Championships took place in perfect weather conditions on Saturday, 22 July, on a freshly cut track at Nelson Mandela University.
The Championships was the climax of the NMB Four-Series Cross Country Season with a superb turnout of over 600 athletes competed for qualifying times and selection into the EPA Cross Country team for the SA Cross Country Championships.
All age groups in both the 10km and 4km events competed fiercely for the sought-after medals which were awarded after the event.
EP Athletics cross country chairperson, Attie Williams, was thrilled with the season’s results and the support of the athletes.
“Fast times were the order of the day, and we are looking forward to a very competitive SA Cross Country Championship at Nelson Mandela University on Saturday, 16 September,” reported Attie.
“Within the next couple of days, the Selection Committee will convene to select the team that will represent the province at the SA Championships.
“Road Running has set an example for the other commissions during the recent SA Half Marathon Championships and Cross Country has set their sights on maintaining the upwards curve of the province at national level.
“The EPA Local Organizing Committee is looking forward to leading by example for other provinces by hosting world class events with the support and sponsorship of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality,” added Williams.
The 10km race was won by Cwenga Nose, running for Ikhamva athletics club, in a time and excellent time of 31.56, with Andile Motwana, of Nedbank running club, in second place in 32.25, followed by Sicelo Mashaba of Madibaz, in third position in 32.37.
Kelly van Vliet, of Nedbank running club, was the first woman to finish the 10km in 41.30, followed by team-mate Refiloe Solomons, in 42.41. Asanda Zamisa, of Madibaz, finished third in 44.32.
Nedbank running club took the top three places in the 4km race, Andile Motwana, led the charge and won in an excellent time of 12.19, followed by team-mates, Gift Chigomarawa, in 12.43 and Sinethemba Mirele, in third position, in 13.05.
Kayla Nell, of Charlo running club, was once again the first woman to finish the 4km in 15:02, followed by team-mate Dane Cronje, in 17.28, with Georgina Davidson, of Nedbank running club, in third position in 19.16.