If Kabelo Mulaudzi’s bloodied toes didn’t explain how determined the now double national senior men’s 10km champion was to defend his SA national cross-country senior men’s title, nothing will.
Mulaudzi fended off a strong challenge from his Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) teammates, provincial champion Bennet Seloyi and Chris Mhlanga, to successfully defend the title at the Izak Steyl Stadium on September 7, finishing the race with a dusty face and a shoe covered in blood.
Dominance
It was a dominant performance from the CGA trio. After a fast start, they took control of the race and remained in charge, with Mulaudzi leading for the rest of it.
Mulaudzi knew Seloyi and Mhlanga would come at him strongly but didn’t look troubled as he controlled the race until he charged down the home straight unchallenged after tearing through the five laps in 28:01.
“I came here to defend my title. That’s all I wanted. This is my first victory of the year,” said Mulaudzi.
“To be honest, the gents (Seloyi and Mhlanga) are good. I knew they would come at me, but I was focused on running my own race and defending my title.”
Seloyi grabbed the silver 20 seconds later after crossing the line in 28:21. Mhlanga rounded up the podium in 28:37 to seal a CGA top three.
Oldknow powers to victory
Olympian Cian Oldknow continued her incredible year after beating the dry and windy conditions to win the senior women’s 10km race with a dominant performance.
Oldknow, who won the Johnson Crane women’s marathon at Willowmoore Park in January and the BNAC marathon 10km race in April, clocked 32:43, bursting clear of her teammate, Cacisile Sosibo, who finished the race in 33:20 for a CGA top two.
Karabo Mailula from Athletics Gauteng North completed the top three in 33:51.
Mzazi leads the way
Gladwin Mzazi began the Germiston-based organisation’s charge with a gold in the first race of the day when he won the sub-veteran men’s 8km in 23:32. Veterans Jonas Makhele and George Mooi also added golds for the province in the same race, albeit in their categories.
Youngsters Katelin Heymans, Kgomotso Phaloanyane and Mila Scholtz increased the province’s medal tally with incredible performances.
Heymans won the U15 girls’ 4km in 14:12, while Phaloanyane (10:09) clinched the gold in the U12 girls’ 3km event. Scholtz landed the U9 girls’ 2km in 07:34.
The province also clinched 15 team gold medals, including in the U12 boys’ 2km, senior women’s 10km and sub-veteran men’s 8km.
CGA acting president Karabo Mabilo congratulated the athletes for representing the province with pride.
“It was an exciting day full of positivity, as demonstrated by all the CGA members and supporters. A special thank you to all CGA athletes who represented the province with great pride, team management, coaches and all supporters who flew the CGA flag high,” said Mabilo.
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