“Cross country is something I have enjoyed doing since my school days, and it always helped me during my off seasons to build the extra stamina. “I feel Cross country plays an important role in my training program because it helps build my strengths and speed for my road running events. “It is definitely tougher than road running with surface changes, so it helps to build my focus on different techniques and just makes me stronger physically and mentally,” said Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club, who has held the winning title for the women’s 4km for the full series, with a winning time of 0.15.44 for last league event. Nell also came second in the fourth league women’s 10km race.
Nedbank running club athlete, Refeloe Solomons, uses Cross country for her leg strength training. “I include it in my speed session and an easy run on grass for my shorter distance road race’s speed like the 10-15 km”, said Refeloe, who finished first in the women’s 10km for both the third and fourth leagues, with a time of 0.41.46 on Saturday. Solomons alsofinished in second position in the women’s 4km, in a time of 0.16.15.
“Cross country offers a welcome change from road running with good hill strength work,” added Kaitlyn Wolff, who runs for Achilles AAA and finished third in the women’s 4km race in a time of 0.16.51.
Top trail and road runner at Achilles, Leigh Callaghan,who came third in the women’s 10km with a time of 0.42.43, also shared her motivation for cross country running.“Cross country brings a fun element into my training – it’s something new for me as I last did it when I was in junior school. It has a great social aspect to it, bringing the little ones and the more experienced runners together. “It’s challenging physically and mentally – physically on the body but it also forces your mental grit to make an appearance – running loop after loop, but ultimately the experience on the different surface, hills and turns will make you a stronger and better runner.”
The fourth and finalleague of the Nelson Mandela Bay Cross Country LegacySeriestook place in superbrunning conditions on Saturday, at St Albans Correctional Services.
In the men’s 4km, 19-year-old Aphelele September of Act athletics club, finished first in a time of 0.12.51, with Sibhohle Maqwara,22, of Nedbank running club,following closely behind in second position in 0.12.59. Sakhe Mahote, 19, of Madibaz athletics club, finished third in a time of 0.13.00.
In the men’s 10km, Zolani Mabongo, of Nedbank running club, crossed the finish line first in 0.33.11, followed byDivan du Plooy in second position, in 0.33.23.Bongani Banda, running for Madibaz athletics club, finished third in 0.34.13.
Mike Mbambani, owner and coach of Ikhamva athletics club and training camp, added his endorsement to theNelson Mandela BayCross Country Series. “The cross countryleague events came in handy, we planned very well around them and it gave our athletes a good build up for the second half of the season. “We dominated the first three leagues but did not take part in the fourth league which gave other teams more confidence going into the EPA Cross Country Champs.”
The EPA Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, 3 August, at NMU in preparation for the Inter-Provincial and thereafter the National Championships.
For event inquiries, please contact EPA office on epa@pe.co.za or 041 374 2818.
