The Boksburg stadium played host to the 2nd Cross Country league in the Central Gauteng Cross Country series and as with the first league, the event sowed a glimpse of the future stars of running with age groups from U8 all the way to Grandmasters on display.
Well represented on the day were runners from Nedbank RC Soweto Development led by Siyaya Khoza who has been instrumental in not only the growth of the development team but also coaching many, amongst them Sa Schools cross country champion Reatlegile Mosweu who was out in action in the boys U17 6km.
Taking a commanding lead, Mosweu did not look back as he crossed the line victorious in 18:56. Teammate Dylan Smith took 5th followed by Vuyo Rayi (6th) and Divan De Jager 10th, giving Nedbank RC four sports in the top ten.
“Reatlegile is looking good early on in the season and he ran great today,” said Khoza. “The main aim will be the South African Cross-Country Championships later this year so there is a lot of work ahead to do.” Credit as well to coach Khoza’s son Owami, who took part in the boys U13 4km.
Cross Country is always the springboard to any great athlete’s career building natural speed and endurance on very tough courses. Some of the World’s greatest athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele were World Champions numerous times when it came to cross country.
Other notable victories on the day from Nedbank RC athletes came in the form of Leswene Africa Mailola (victory sub vet men 35-39 8km), Laura Venter (victory women 55-59 4km) and Reabeloga Smith who took the boys U15 4km victory.
Nedbank RC athletes’ results:
Senior women 2km
4. Phyllis De Fouw Nedbank Soweto 08:23
Youth women 2km
8. Sesinyana Molapo Nedbank Soweto 09:09
Boys U11 3km
5. Jan Kruger Nedbank Soweto 12:20
Boys U12 3km
13. Jordan Moodley Nedbank Soweto 11:47
25. Owami Khoza Nedbank Soweto 12:51
Girls U12 3km
4. Tiyani Fourie Nedbank Soweto 14:10
Girls U16 4km
14. Basetsana Maphosa Nedbank Soweto19:55
Boys U14 4km
3. Bonolo Sefunelo Nedbank Soweto 14:56
4. Thato Thejane Nedbank Soweto 15:07
Boys U15 4km
1. Realeboga Smith Nedbank Soweto 13:12
5. Paballo Mmutle Nedbank Soweto 13:48
Boys U13 4km
3. Sibusiso Dlhomo Nedbank Soweto 14:38
Women 45-49 4km
6. Sethepele Regina Ramawela Nedbank RC 18:45
Women 50-54 4km
3. Winnie De Winnaar Nedbank Soweto 19:45
Women 55-59 4km
1. Laura Venter Nedbank Soweto 23:23
Women 60-64 4km
2. Mariet Geyer Nedbank RC 20:42
Boys U16 6km
4. Mihlali Thomson Nedbank Soweto 20:48
Boys U17 6km
1. Reatlegile Mosweu Nedbank Soweto 18:56
5. Dylan Pienaar Nedbank RC 20:01
6. Vuyo Rayi Nedbank Soweto 20:22
10. Divan De Jager Nedbank Soweto 21:12
11. Thabiso Sefatsa Nedbank Soweto 21:13
20. Oarabile Makhakha Nedbank Soweto 22:58
25. Sandile Mbolawa Nedbank Soweto 24:16
26. France Mulaudzi Nedbank Soweto 25:02
Veteran men 40-44 8km
2. Peter Ramoloto Nedbank RC 26:58
8. Adam Maroko Nedbank Soweto 29:43
15. Gladstone Giba Nedbank RC 31:11
Master men 50-54 8km
11. Alex Teque Nedbank RC 34:06
Men U23 4km
17. Tshepiso Mathibela Nedbank RC 15:33
18. Kabelo Thentu Nedbank Soweto 15:48
Junior men U19 8km
18. Kgobane Menoe Nedbank Soweto 28:27
21. Keaton Stansfeld Nedbank RC 29:10
28. Sergio Nxumalo Nedbank Soweto 31:13
Sub vet men 35-39 8km
1. Leswene Africa Mailola Nedbank RC 25:31
Senior women 10km
4. Praxedis Dim Nedbank RC