Lungisa Mdedelwa wins in Mauritius
The Southern Region Cross Country Championships took place on 3 March on a flat grass course at the Gymkhana track in Mauritius. The hot weather, with temperatures up to 36 degrees, and the flat grass course was advantageous to the South African team who dominated the Championships. The team also took the gold medal in the team competition for men and women.
Athletics South Africa selected a senior team to compete at the Championships. The only other countries that took part were Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles and Reunion.
The men’s team did not allow anybody else to get close to the front as they dominated the men’s 11km event and took the first 6 positions. Lungisa Mdedelwa is the new Southern Region Cross Country Champion while Dean Brummer finished 2nd. Boy Soke, David Manja, Isaac Mbuyase and Kgosi Tsosane came through in positions 3 to 6 respectively. Mdedelwa, Brummer and Soke literally finished split seconds apart as their times were recorded at 33.22, 33.23 and 33.24 respectively.
In the women’s race contested over 7km Mpho Mabuza claimed victory in 24.48 with Nolene Conrad finishing 2nd in 25.18sec. Lebo Phalula, Portia Ngwenya and Ntombesintu Mfunzi followed shortly afterwards, their times 25.39, 25.56 and 26.54 correspondingly. Lebogang Phalula withdrew from the team due to a knee injury. She is currently receiving treatment and will be re-assessed to see how the knee is responding.
The next big event will be the CAA Africa Cross Country Championships on 18 March where athletes from all over Africa will travel to Cape Town to compete on the day.
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