SA road running team deliver in style with historic medal

The SA team produced their best ever all-round performance at the World Road Running Championships in Latvia on Sunday, earning a historic medal and racking up a long list of records and personal bests.

In the half-marathon race, both the men’s and women’s team delivered, combining in superb efforts to give the international elite a shake.

The national men’s squad earned the bronze medal in the team competition, ensuring South Africa stepped on the podium for the first time since 1999.

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National champion Thabang Mosiako shattered his personal best, dipping under 60 minutes to finish an impressive sixth (59:52) over the 21km distance.

Experienced athlete Stephen Mokoka was as consistent and reliable as always, finishing 11th in 1:00:29, Elroy Gelant built on his excellent recent form to set a career-best 1:00:56 in 13th position, and Precious Mashele finished 19th in 1:01:13.

With the top three athletes’ times from each country counting towards the team prize, they secured third place behind Kenya and Ethiopia.

Women’s half-marathon

And the women’s team were equally impressive, led by Cacisile Sosibo, who ran the race of her life to finish 10th in a personal best 1:09:31.

She was well supported by Glenrose Xaba, who was 12th in 1:09:47, and Cian Oldknow, who also set a career best 1:10:08 to finish 15th. Kesa Molotsane, the fourth member of the squad, was 45th in 1:15:19.

When the top three athletes’ combined times were calculated, the SA team were just 11 seconds outside their first ever medal at the biennial road running spectacle, settling for fourth spot.

Other events

Over shorter distances, Ryan Mphahlele again flaunted his immense potential in the men’s mile (1.6km) race, taking sixth place in 3:57.35 and narrowly missing out on a medal, while Carina Viljoen was 15th in the women’s mile in 4:39.01. Both athletes set new SA records over the newest official distance recognised by World Athletics.

In the 5km event, Tayla Kavanagh grabbed 15th place in the women’s contest, also setting a national record (15:50). She crossed the line just one second and one position ahead of compatriot Kyla Jacobs.

Maxime Chaumeton finished 17th in a career best 13:36 in the men’s 5km contest and his training partner Nicholas Seoposengwe was 38th in 14:19.