Xaba and Mashele defend cross country titles in PE
Women’s 10km a close contest
Precious Mashele and Glenrose Xaba successfully defended their respective 10km titles at the ASA Cross Country Championships at Nelson Mandela University on Saturday.
The cold, wet weather did not stop spectators, who flocked to the NMU to watch the races, which started at 7.30am on Saturday.
The men’s race was not as competitive as the women’s, as Mashele, of Central Gauteng, broke away from the pack at the 5km mark to take the lead, which he maintained until he crossed the finish line in 29min 28sec.
Runner-up Jeromy Andreas crossed the finish 19sec later coming in at 29:47.
Third place was taken by Kabelo Seboko (29:51) as Central Gauteng dominated the podium in the 10km.
Mashele, 28, said he did not even have to break a sweat in defending his title.
“I broke away from the pack at the 5km mark,” he said.
Mashele thanked his coach, Hendrick Ramaala.
In the women’s race, competition was tight between Kesa Molotsane and Xaba.
The two were separated by only a split second when Xaba crossed the finish line in 35:16.
Molotsane had to settle for second in a time of 35:17.
Xaba, 24, of Pretoria, was delighted at retaining her title.
“Today’s race was challenging because there was a lot of mud [up to] the 1km mark.”
“It was challenging even when it came to the hills.
“But I managed the downhills very well.
“Kesa and I are friends and enjoy running against each other, but we challenge each other all the time.”
In the 4km races, Ryan Mphahlele (CGA) earned a comfortable victory in the men’s contest in 11:30, with the U23 athlete finishing 19sec clear of his nearest opponent, while another U23 athlete, Marne Mentz (AFS), beat her senior opponents to win the women’s race in 14:20.
Ngconde Matwebu (AFS) took the 8km junior men’s title in 24:17, edging out Dais Malebane (AGN) by less than a second, and Tyler Beling won the 6km junior women’s race by nearly half a minute in 21:33.
Eastern Province Athletics and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality hosted the championships.
Detailed results can be found on ASA’s web page.
Top 10
Men
1 Precious Mashele 29:28,
2 Jeromy Andreas 29:47,
3 Kabelo Seboko 29:51,
4 Mbuleli Mathanga 30:09,
5 Milton Kekana 30:16,
6 Thabang Mosiako 30:21,
7 Gladwin Mzazi 30:26,
8 Collen Mulaudzi 30:30,
9 Elroy Gelant 30:34,
10 Bonginkosi Zwane 30:37
Women
1 Glenrose Xaba 35:16,
2 Kesa Molotsane 35:17,
3 Jenet Mbhele 36:07,
4 Aynslee van Graan 36:18,
5 Thobile Mkhize 36:59,
6 Lebogang Phalula 37:04,
7 Cacisile Sosibo 37:12,
8 Anel Terblanche 37:19,
9 Khonzeni Gwegwe 37:22,
10 Leanda du Bruyn 37:31
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