"It's a dream come true" – Nicola Jansen wins her first ASA cross country title

Nicola Jansen shocked even herself when she pulled off the upset of the ASA cross country championships at Curro Hazeldean on Saturday September 5, beating overwhelming favourite Cacisile Sosibo to claim the senior women's 10km title. With defending champion Glenrose Xaba and last year's runner-up Karabo Mailula absent, Sosibo was widely expected to dominate. But Jansen, relatively unknown outside Gauteng North after spending five years studying in the United States, flipped the script by breaking away from the Central Gauteng athlete on the third lap to secure her first national title.

"It's still surreal. I was in America for five years studying. Nobody knew about me because I did'’t compete here in South Africa. Today was just about making people aware, even if I had not won. My coach told me to enjoy it and not worry about positions too much,” she told #TheTopRunner.

Jansen celebrates her maiden national title. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

"I know Cacisile really well. I just tried to stick with her for as long as possible. But I saw she was starting to fall back on the third lap and I decided to keep the pace. I was surprised by myself that I was able to keep it up," she said.

The University of New Mexico alumna then tightened her grip on the race after dropping Sosibo and crossed the line unchallenged after five laps in 35:51.01. Sosibo settled for silver in 36:24.53, improving on her bronze medal from last year, while Athletics Free State's Lizandrè Mulder completed the podium in 36:47.47.

Jansen and Sosibo battle stride for stride through the water at the 2026 ASA Cross Country Championships. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"It was hard but I'm proud. I can't believe it. It's a dream come true because I've never won a national title before. I'm very happy and grateful to my training group for carrying me," said the 24-year-old former Hoërskool Waterkloof learner.

Jansen, coached by Wiam Grimes of Affies, believes the victory could signal the start of a new chapter, but admits she needs to develop greater belief in herself if she is to compete consistently with the likes of Xaba, Sosibo and Tayla Kavanagh. The victory has given Jansen the confidence she needed as she turns her attention to the road, where she hopes to make an immediate impact in races such as the SPAR Women's Challenge and Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.

Jansen in action at the 2025 World University Games in Germany where she clocked 32:56.14 in the 10 000m to finish in tenth position. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I think so. I just have to believe in myself that I can compete with those ladies. I look up to them. I need to believe in myself more. I can do it. I get a bit overwhelmed with the road races because of the big names out there. So I wanted to use cross country to gain confidence. Now I will focus on the road. But, like I said, I need to believe in myself to run with those big names."