Glenrose Xaba stole the show on Saturday, blasting around the course to bag a memorable double at the ASA Cross Country Championships at North West University’s Pukke Sports Fields in Potchefstroom.
Xaba, who won the South African women’s 10,000m title on the track in April, displayed her supreme form by first winning the women’s Senior 10km race in 35:51 before claiming the 4km title in 13:58 later in the day.
Defending women’s 10km champion Kesa Molotsane settled for the silver medal this time in 36:09 while Maria Shai secured the bronze in 37:58.
Shai and Farida Zwane, who finished fourth, spearheaded the Central Gauteng (CGA) team to the gold medal in the team competition, with KwaZulu-Natal (KZNA) and AGN taking silver and bronze respectively.
Among the men, Precious Mashele (CGA) outclassed Joel Mmone (30:44) and Steeplechase star Thabang Mosiako (30:53) to win the men’s senior 10km race in 30:31.
Mmone grabbed silver, Mosiako secured bronze and defending champion David Manja ended fourth, to lead host province Central North West (ACNW) to the team title ahead of CGA and KZNA. Mthobisi Baloyi was victorious in the men’s 4km race.
In other races at the national spectacle, which attracted over 3 800 entries in all youth and sub-youth age categories, Khayelihle Simelane and Rachel Leistra were triumphant in the Under-23 men and women 4km events.
Dais Malebane won the 8km Junior Men race and Thobile Vilakazi was victorious in the 6km Junior Women contest.
