South African runners dominate Southern Region Cross Country Championships
Athletics South Africa announced yesterday that South Africa dominated the Southern Region Cross Country Championships in Mauritius on Saturday winning all four individual races as well as all four team competitions.
The Championships was the last chance for the South African athletes to prove themselves for inclusion in the South African team to participate in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, and they all rose to the occasion.
Boy Soke won the gold medal in the men's 12 km race in a time of 35:52 beating his team mates Stephen Mokoka (36:04) and Tshamano Setone (36:22) into second and third place respectively. Fourth place went to South Africa's Sibusiso Nzima (36:26) and fifth place to Jeffrey Gwebu (36:32).
They were followed by Kgosi Tsosane (8th in 36:56), Xolisa Tyali (9th in 37:13), Lungile Gonqa (11th in 37:51) and Nonkululeko Zamisa (12th in 38:06).
South Africa won the team competition with 10 points to Botswana's 45 and Mauritius 98.
The senior women's race over 8 km produced a ding dong battle between South Africa's Lebogang Phalula and Annerien van Schalkwyk with Phalula crossing the line five seconds in front of her team mate. Phalula was clocked at 27:50 and Van Schalkwyk at 27:55 with Tebogo Masehla third in 28:20.
Other South African placings were Myrette Filmalter (5th in 28:24), Lebo Phalula (6th in 28:37) and Takalane Nthulane (7th in 28:44) with South Africa taking the team competition with 11 points to the 42 of Mauritius.
Sithyilo Diko (South Africa) also had a narrow win the junior men's race over 8km winning in 25:05 with his team mate, Mfumaneko Fadane second in 25:09.
Other South African placings were: 4th Vuyisile Tshoba 25:31;5th Windy Jonas 25:35; 6th Joel Monne 25:42;7th Folavia Sehohle 26:00;8th Senzo Nkosi 26:19 and 9th Samuel Setlelo 26:37.
South Africa won the team competition with 12 points to Mauritius 50 points.
Ashleigh Schnetler took the gold for South Africa in the junior women's race over 6km with a winning time of 22:14 with Letitia Saayman finishing second in 22:20.
Other South African runners were placed as follows: 4th Maxine Heine-Wacker 22:34; 6th Nandipha Dywili 22:45; 7th Anneke Gildenhuys 23:10; 8th Zintle Sinqe 23:43 and 9th Zintle Mtshali 24:13.
South Africa won the team competition scoring 13 points to Mauritius 54.
