'It was a good initiative' - CGA President Khanyile hails provincial 21km, 5km and mile champs as successful

Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) President Steven Khanyile praised the CGA half marathon championships, which included a 5km race and a mile event, on June 14 in Nasrec, saying the event was well-organised and successful. Khanyile said they were able to identify the athletes that will be selected to represent CGA at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Half Marathon championships, which will be incorporated into the F21 half marathon, in Phalaborwa on July 26.

Seloyi is enjoying a productive 2025 season which included winning the Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon incorporating the ASA Marathon Championships and a 28:19 10km personal best at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY. CAPE TOWN 10K. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"It was a good initiative to organise a standalone event to select our team, rather than piggybacking on other people's events. It went very well," he told #TheTopRunner. "We were able to come up with the athletes we shall look at for selection for the nationals in the 21km, 5km and the mile. If you look at the mile, it's something to look at because it includes developing athletes. It's an introduction to road running for them," he said.

Reigning SA Marathon champion Bennett Seloyi won the men's 21km race in 1:06:32, while the Nedbank Running Club's Tiisetso Mokhoma was second in 1:07:50. Mokhoma's teammate, Kabelo Melamu, clinched the last podium spot in 1:08:05. The evergreen and on-form Lebo Phalula-Mzazi clocked 1:17:57 to win the women’s race, crossing the line ahead of The Green Machine's Samantha Coetzer, who was 3:30 off the pace. Cornelia Joubert of the Boxer Athletic Club was third in 1:21:26.

Khanyile poses with the top three women in the mile, an event which was dominated by the development clubs as Zanele Masia of Waterfall AC won (5:35) ahead of Kedibone Mohwang of Mamepe Striders (5:45) and Andile Manzi of Fitness from Africa ()6:08. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

Boxer's Andries Sesedi won the men's 5km race in 15:14. His teammate, Chris Mhlanga was second in15:35 and University of Johannesburg's Enoch Bokaba finished two seconds behind Mhlanga to grab third place. Megan Roome won the women's race in 19:02, while Boxer's Tshenola Sebueng was second in19:44. Lika Strydom of Fitness from Africa completed the podium in 19:57.

Olympian Ryan Mphahlele of Tembisa AC and Waterall AC's Zanele Maisa won the senior men and women's miles respectively. Mphahlele clocked 4:17 and Maisa won the women's race in 5:35.

Sesedi, Mhlanga and Bokaba pose for a photo after finishing on the podium in the men's 5km event. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"Thank you to the CGA board, staff, athletes, parents and everyone involved in making the event successful. It unfolded very well. There were some lessons we can take forward to ensure we do better in the future. It was a good event."