Veteran runners Lucky Mohale and Christina Selale won the men and women’s 10km events during the Daveyton Street Mile on September 17.
Mohale, who won his sixth Johnson Crane 21.1km race at Willowmoore Park earlier this year, outsprinted Donald Mashamaite on the home straight to cross the line in 31:35.
With victory beckoning for Mohale, the Kempton Park Athletic Club runner appeared on Mocke Street and made one last push, attempting to close the gap but it was too late as the lanky Boxer Athletics Club runner breasted the tape four seconds ahead as Mashamaite clocked 31:39.
Mohale said he took part in the race to maintain his momentum as he looks to clock 02:10 in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, next month.
“The race was okay. I came here to train. Yesterday, I ran 40km in the morning and 16km in the evening, which gave me a total of 56km. I just came here to keep the tempo,” said Mohale.
The 38-year-old from Thembisa said he enjoyed the race but was disappointed with the attendance, adding that he hopes it will be better next year.
Mashamaite, in contrast, said he was impressed with the “decent” field, adding it would’ve attracted the province’s elite runners if it didn’t coincide with the national cross-country championships that took place on September 16 in Gqeberha.
“The race was okay. In the last 2km, I tried to push but Lucky sprinted. The attendance was good, especially because most of our elite runners were at the cross-country nationals. It showed that the field would’ve been full if it were not for the nationals,” Mashamaite said.
He said such races were important to townships, adding that they could help in fighting crime and substance abuse plaguing most townships.
“They are important because there are lots of children who watch us when we run. They should learn something from us and this might lure them into the sport and away from wrongdoing.”
The East Athletic Club’s Kwanda Longoza rounded off the men’s podium in a time of 32:31.
Selale, from Wattville, agreed with Mashamaite, saying she wants to be a good example to young people.
“I always encourage young children in Wattville to run. I’m 48 years old. I want to set a good example for the children. They shouldn’t see us in taverns but they should us in our running shoes on the road so they would be encouraged to run,” she said.
The Rainbow Athletics Club speedster cut the tape in 41:48. She was followed in second place by Daveyton Hearts AC’s Pamela Ndlovu who clocked 42:58.
Rainbow AC’s Alina Matswi was third after crossing the line in 43:51.
Young Sandile Mthimkhulu won the men’s 5km race.
Street Mile (1.6km) results:
Boys U10
1. Kyle Dukoff-Gordon
2. Oarabile Phele
Boys U15
1. Zakhele Ndlovu
2. Ofentse Mokone
3. Thato Maibila
Open Men
1. Sbusiso Msibi
2. Barnard Molefe
3. Bright Mikolongwe
Girls U10
1. Lesedi Molato
2. Dineo Nzuza
3. Lihle Lesufi
Girls U15
1. Lucia Kubai
2. Zenande Mbatha
3. Samkhelo Nhlapho
Junior girls
1. Caitlyn Dukoff-Gordon
2. Nokuthula Thobane
Open women
1. Pamela Ndlovu
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