Kevin Hickley’s tactical masterclass was key to his excellent performance at the CGA provincial championships in Kagiso on August 17.
The Benoni High Athletic Club (BHAC) top runner ran a composed race and stuck to his tactics as he won a silver medal in the junior men’s 8km race after clocking 28:56 to qualify for next month’s nationals.
The race was won by national junior 5km champion, Zenzile Pheko of Kopano AC in 28:31, with Sphiwe Makhoba from Germiston club, Cool Running, rounding up the podium.
Hickley had his work cut out for him with everyone in the race fighting for second and third because Pheko was expected to dominate, and he did after leading from the gun to the tape.
Pheko dictated the pace and was slightly ahead after the first 2km. Hickley stuck with the chasing group and by the 6km mark, they had dropped most of the chasers, leaving him and Makhoba to fight for the second spot.
The Hoërskool Hans Moore learner upped the ante towards the end and outworked Makhoba to grab the silver 25 seconds behind Pheko.
Makhoba clinched the bronze in 29:06.
Also Read: Hickley happy with podium at nationals
The BHAC saw three runners, including Hickley, clinch silvers after finishing their events in second place.
Hickley’s teammate Bronwyn Nel grabbed a silver in the junior women’s 6km race. After taking an early lead going into the first loop with Gift Nkosi of East Athletic Club and Gallopers’ Katelyn Steenkamp on her heels, she maintained her pace but looked dejected after 4km and Nkosi took full advantage to win the event in 25:14.
Nel was second in 25:32 and Steenkamp grabbed the bronze in 26:13.
Kiana Pepler finished the U17 girls’ 4km event second behind EAC’s Azelia Zitha, who won the race in 16:43. Pepler clocked 16:51 with Cassidy Bosman of Kempies in third place.
Kaitlyn Mackay also qualified for the nationals after placing sixth in the U15 girls’ 4km race. She crossed the line at 17:32.
Emma Hickley, who was anticipating a top 15 placing, clocked a top 10 finish in her race after finishing the girls’ U14 race in 18:11 for ninth.
Camryn de Meyer also sealed her qualification after finishing sixth in the junior women’s 2km race in a time of 09:11.
Also Read: Bronwyn Nel wins in seventh meeting
