This past weekend saw a return of some form of normality with the 2-day ASA National Cross-Country Championships which were held at Hutchison Park in Kwa Zulu Natal coastal town of Amanzimtoti. Nedbank RC had a host of athletes representing their various provinces and some of the athletes showed a glimpse of bright futures ahead.
Under the guidance of coach Siyaya Khoza from the Nedbank RC Soweto development team, Reatlegile Mosweu who went into his boys U17 6km event as favourite and teammate Realeboga Smith who took on the boys under 15 4km, both took gold and individual national titles on the day.
“I am extremely happy with how the boys performed today,” said an elated coach Khoza. “We have been building up specifically for this event through all the cross country leagues and the boys really delivered when it mattered most.”
The boys under 19 8km was a highlight of the day with the country’s most promising stars lining up to navigate the 4 lap course. Nedbank RC athlete Jason Bowers who recently represented South Africa at the World u20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, was a runaway victor, covering the final two laps by himself to earn his national title in a time of 25:31. Nedbank RC teammate Bakgang Kgokong finished 9th.
“This victory means a lot to me today and I am glad that I got the gold,” said Bowers. “I would like to thank my coach Johan Britz as well as Nedbank RC for all the continued support getting me where I am today.” Bowers is a huge talent and will be a force to be reckoned with when the youngster moves on to the senior category.
There were many more medals on the day for the green dream team as well. Former Two Oceans Marathon winner George Ntshiliza picked up an individual bronze medal for his 3rd place finish in the men’s 40-45 age group, finishing the 8km course in a time of 28:25.
The fiercely contested senior men’s 4km was contested late in the day and as expected, the pace was brutal from the moment the starters pistol was fired. Nedbank RC Cape town athlete Anthony Timotheus was rewarded from a well-judged race to take the bronze medal and a spot on the podium with a very quick 12:12 for the undulating course. Nedbank RC teammate Bruce-Lynn Damons finished 13th in 12:36.
There was another bronze medal from the stable of Pio Mpolokeng who heads up the Nedbank RC Klerksdorp Development team in the boys under 16 6km. Dino Nako ran a brilliant race to finish 3rd in a quick 20:07.
In the senior women’s 10km, Stella Marais fresh from her 10km PB at last weeks Spar ladies 10km, battled with the heat on the day but still finished strong in 7th position.
On day 1, the young kids had their first experience of a national championship. In the boys under 10 2km, Nedbank RC Gauteng North athlete Kaleb van Niekerk earned a silver medal for his 2nd place finish in an extremely impressive 7:04. Rozellin van Niekerk finished 7th in the girls under 12 3km. She ran a time of 12:20.