Central Gauteng Athletics held the last league of 2021 Cross Country season in partnership with the Tsogo Sun Hotels and National Lotteries Commission on Saturday, 14 August 2021 at Alberton Dam. The 5th league event saw the athletes willing to compete and prepare for provincial championships despite running in windy cold conditions over the weekend. 

The event started with the under 8 Boys and Girls category, who ran a distance of 1km. Thandolwethu Mashele claimed his 3rd consecutive victory to end season in time of 04:50, while Karlien van Rooyen in the girls category finishing 5 seconds ahead of Mashele clocking 04:45. 

Elvis Mokhonoana and Nicole van der Merwe both from UJ Athletics club dominated the 2km Senior men and women event clocking 06:16 and 07:26 respectively. Mokhonoana’s training coach, Elvis Khoza highlighted that Mokhonoana is concentrating on testing his speed in preparation for his main event of 10km.

CGA Selection for Cross Country Championships states that an athlete must run any 3 of the 5 leagues to be considered for the Provincial Championships which will be held on the 28 August 2021 at Kagiso Sports Complex.

One of the highlight event was 4km senior women which saw a head to head clash between Gene Coetzee and Lebo Phalula. With one lap to go Coetzee caused a considerable upset by blasting away from her senior finishing in the time of 16:44, one minute ahead of Phalula twin. Marko Bucarizza remain unbeaten in his favourite event of 4km senior men after he won his 3rd victory this season in brilliant time of 14:33

Boxer Athletics club once again dominated the 10km senior men, this time represented by Lucky Mohale who showcased a constant form in cross country this season to claim first victory clocking 33:49. The women event was won by Cacisile Sosibo, who found a reason to celebrate the women’s month securing her 2nd victory this season in the time of 40:53. In the post event interview, Sosibo highlighted that she is confident with her form and she will be looking forward to contest for 10km title at the provincial championships.

CGA Cross Country Chairperson Steven Khanyile indicated that the commission was happy with how the leagues have ran and that athletes where given sufficient leagues to prepare themselves for the 2021 National Cross Country Championships. He further confirmed that the province will be sending a very strong to team to compete for more medals at the nationals. Unfortunately due to Covid19 regulations and in an effort to manage the numbers, provincial championships will allow athletes that have more than 3 leagues to enter in line with the qualifying criteria for selection.