The EPA Track & Field season started on a high note last weekend with 202 athletes competing in 278 events.
EPA hosts the Track & Field events in partnership with the NMBM as part of their ongoing Legacy Project.
Riaan Barnard, EPA Track & Field Chairperson, was thrilled with the turnout of the athletes, clubs and spectators.
“We are extremely proud of our athletes,” said Barnard who is passionate about the growth and development of athletics in the Eastern Cape.
“My dream for this season is to develop our athletes to their highest standard to compete on a national level and to bring home more medals!
“This weekend marked the start of our high school, senior and master athletes first league.
“All our local athletes are working extremely hard to qualify for the National Athletic Championship which will be held in Pretoria on the 21-23 March for our junior athletes and u/23 (a new category) and then our seniors will compete from 18-21 April in KZN Durban.
Thabang Mosiako, running for Nedbank running club, had a sensational 5000m race, finishing in 13 min 37 seconds, the fastest senior male athlete EPA time, pending record ratification. Melikhaya Frans ran 13.44.09 in February 2022, the fastest EPA time on home soil.
Thabang was very happy with his race and is excited about his running potential this year.
“It was so exciting, a new season, new year, and the first Track & Field event of 2024.
“I can say I ran my PB, I ran 13.58 in 2022, and now I ran 13.37!
“I’ve never run such a good time in my life, this is huge for me!
“This race is showing me how great my year will be – I expect more this year than last year.
“I must just keep focused on my training and preparation and work hard, as we have a very busy year.
“I’m excited and so happy about my start of the year! said Thabang.
His coach, Michael Mbambani, was equally thrilled.
“Thabang is showing serious consistency, he is at his peak now and I just wish him an injury free year,” said Mbambbani.
Gerrie Posthumus, Madibaz athletics club coach, was also impressed with the performance standard of the athletes and confirmed that local world class athlete, Luxolo Adams, would be competing on the 10 February.
The next two competitions will be held on Saturday, February 3, at the Westbourne Oval and on February 10, at NMU Madibaz Stadium.
NMBM, the proud host of the EPA Championships, and EP Athletics share the vision to develop world class athletes by creating platforms for local athletes to compete amongst top South African athletes.
Spectators are welcome at a cost of R30 per person.
For more information, email epaadmin@pe.co.za