Local cross-country athlete delivers on home soil
There was some good and bad news for local athletes at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Cross Country League 6 event held in Simunye recently.
Local athlete Andries Sesedi of Mohlakeng’s Colossus Athletics Club was the standout performer at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Cross Country League 6 event at the Simunye Gymnasium on Saturday, 6 July.
He proved to be a very tough customer and too much for his rival, Nicholas Seoposengwe of Murray & Roberts, in the men’s 8km event by crossing the finish line in 25 minutes and 11 seconds.
“Andries wanted to beat Nicholas for a long time. The rivalry will continue at the CGA Championships in Kagiso in August,” said Andries’ coach, Motlatsi Sesing.
In the senior men’s 4km event, another local, Kabelo Melamu, had a somewhat bad day at the office. He battled to break away from the leading pack at first but when he eventually succeeded, it was too late to deny Bramon Lentswe from Nedbank a first place in 11 minutes and 27 seconds. Kabelo finished second, two seconds behind Bramon, with Maxine Chaymeton from Olifantsfontein in third.
In the women’s 10km event, another local, Cornelia Joubert put up a good fight against Farida Zwane from Tembisa but it was not to be. With just 2km to go, Cornelia had the win in the bag but Farida suddenly found her pace and won the race in 38 minutes and 27 seconds.
The Grandmaster Men 60+ age group saw Two Oceans gold medallist Israel Morake cruise to victory in the absence of arch-rival Almon Zibuse from Randmark Running and Cycle Club, a Comrades Marathon achiever. He won in a time of 23 minutes and 16 seconds.
Simunye resident, Sibusiso Nzima of Nedbank who featured at the Rio Olympics battled on the day and had to be happy with a fourth place finish.
