The harriers who were selected for the Fezile Dabi Cross Country Running team rallied together at Kovsies last weekend to compete at the Free State Cross Country Provincial Championships. Thirty-five athletes representing the Fezile Dabi team brought home a total of six medals. Twelve of the Fezile Dabi cross country runners – a third of our harriers – qualified for a position on the Free State Cross Country team. Ten of our athletes are in the age group of 10 years and older. They will represent the Free State province at the Cross Country National Championships in Amanzimtoti on Saturday, 18 September 2021.
Harriers who were awarded medals and earned a spot on the Free State Cross Country Running team are:
* Karlise Scheepers (G8) (Position 2) 1 km 05:08 (Parys Primary School).
* Janco Ferreira (B9) (Position 1) 2 km 08:27 (Parys Primary School).
* Wian Pienaar (B12) (Position 4) 3km 11:36 (Kroonheuwel Primary)
* Johanka De Villiers (G13) (Position 3) 3 km 13:05 (Parys Primary School).
* Alexandra De Klerk (G16) (Position 5) 4 km 17:54 (Parys Multisport).
* Johanné Hayes (G16) (Position 6) 4 km 17:55 (Parys Multisport).
* Mianette van der Merwe (G17) (Position 5) 4 km 18:00 (Parys Multisport).
* Friedl Janse van Rensburg (W23) (Position 5) 4 km 18:55 (Parys Multisport).
* Thomas Coetzer (M45) (Position 3) 8 km 34:59 (Harmony Striders).
* Callie Kruger (M45) (Position 4) 8 km 36:54 (Parys Multisport).
* Tshele Pitso (M55) (Position 1) 8 km 35:30 (Parys Multisport).
* Lindiwe Mthombeni (W45) (Position 1) 4 km 18:06 (Sasolburg Athletic Club).
Due to Covid regulations, ASA made the call only to accept athletes from 10 years and older at the 2021 Cross Country National Championships. “This means the end of the cross season for Karlise and Janco, but they retain their positions on the Free State team. We have no doubt that they would have made us proud at the nationals”, says Pierre Fourie, the organiser of the Fezile Dabi Cross Country League and vetting official for the Fezile Dabi team.
“Fezile Dabi hit hard at the Free State champs. This not only reflects the wealth of talent in our region but is also a testimony of the high coaching standards and what we can achieve when our clubs, schools and community take hands to take it to the top.” “Many of our harriers gained a lot of experience this season as they competed at a provincial level for the first time. Others have been here before, returning for another attempt at a national title. This year, we also have double takes with Friedl Janse van Rensburg, who also represents the Free State triathlon team, and Lindiwe Mthombeni, who is a highly-decorated ultra distance and road running athlete with Sasolburg AC”.
Training and competing at a world-class venue like Koedoeslaagte provided these harriers with all the experience and skill demanded by a course like the one they will face in Amanzimtoti. “Koedoeslaagte is one of the only courses in South Africa that is true to authentic cross country running and offers everything a runner would face on any course in the world, except for snow,” says Pierre. “We wish our harriers all the best as they prepare for the nationals.” Pierre congratulated the various clubs and schools on their athletes’ achievements. Please contact Parys Multisport at 074 180 1284 if you are interested in participating or competing in athletics.
