East’s golden girl aims for top six at nationals

The East Athletic Club (EAC) runner Azelia Zitha ran a tactically astute race to win a gold medal in the U17 girls’ 4km at the provincial cross-country championships last month.

This is the same tactic she will use this weekend when she lines up against the country’s best in her division at the Athletics SA (ASA) cross-country champs in Vanderbijlpark.

“I am over the moon. It was my first gold medal and if I can do the same at nationals, it will be a job well done,” she said after she was second in the women’s 10km of the Daveyton Street Mile on August 25.

Besides Zitha, the Daveyton Club will be represented by Kwanda Longoza, Gift Nkosi, Avuma Pheza, Mahlatse Mamonyane, Elihle Papu and Joy Malatjie.

A top six finish at the nationals would be enough for the Etwatwa resident because this is only the beginning of bigger things to come, she said.

“It’s going to be tough,” she admitted. “We are going to fight.”

It was a long and arduous season for Zitha. She often found herself in and out of the top three during the league phase but her determination carried her through because the goal was always to peak at the right time.

“It was my first time winning since I started running. My competitors inspired me during the season. It is tough competing against these incredibly fast girls but it is healthy competition,” she said.

“My parents and siblings joked that I would not be allowed back home without a gold medal. They were motivating me. It is all I needed at the provincials.”

Her triumph at the CGA champs gave her some fame when she got back to school. They paraded her in front of the entire school during assembly but this popularity means nothing to her because her humility has always carried her.

“It’s a huge moment, but I remain humble. I want to forge a career. Big headedness won’t take me anywhere,” Zitha said.

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