Powerful fields will line up on Saturday, with national titles up for grabs over various distances at the SA Road Running Championships in Phalaborwa.
In the half-marathon event, which is incorporated in the F21 Half-Marathon, Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba will toe the line as the pre-race favourites to retain their national titles.
Gelant, who overcame tough conditions to win the SA men’s 21.1km title in Gqeberha last year, will be joined in the line-up by Athletics Central North West (ACNW) teammate Thabang Mosiako, also a former national champion.
They are up against a field which also includes in-form athlete Bennet Seloyi, representing Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).
Xaba will target her sixth national half-marathon title for Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) in the women’s race, and her strongest challenge is likely to come from CGA athlete Cacisile Sosibo, who has also run under 70 minutes over the 21.1km distance.
Shorter distances
In the 5km event, the men’s line-up includes Jerry Motsau, a former national 3 000m record holder on the track, who will represent ACNW.
Motsau is facing a field which also features Andries Sesedi, a former SA 10 000m champion, and his CGA teammate Chris Mhlanga.
A strong Western Province Athletics (WPA) team will also be confident of putting up a fight with the likes of Bruce-Lynn Damons and Ashley Smith in their ranks.
Among the women, a tightly contested war is expected to be waged between some of the country’s top middle-distance runners.
The AGN squad will be led by Karabo More and Simonay Weitsz, but they will have to hold off an expected challenge from Zanthe Taljaard, running in the colours of Athletics Vaal Triangle.
In the men’s mile (1.609km), national record holder Ryan Mphahlele will turn out for CGA as the firm favourite for gold.
The AGN team will be looking to dominate the women’s race, spearheaded by the likes of Carmie Prinsloo and Carina Swiegers.
* Featured image of Ryan Mphahlele by Cecilia van Bers
