Maisa and Maqwana dominate at Zet Sinqe Series finale in Alex

Zanele Maisa and Benkosi Maqwara rose above the challenge of Alexandra's demanding hills to reign supreme at the Zet Sinqe Series Run 3, storming to victory in the women’s and men's 5km races at the Altrec Sports Complex on October 11. Maisa, who will is likely to represent South Africa at next year's World Athletics cross-country championships in the USA after her fifth place in the women's 10km at the ASA trials, showed her class in the women's race, winning by almost three minutes. 

The winners of the men's and women's 5km Benkosi Maqwana and Zanele Maisa. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

The Waterfall AC athlete crossed the line in 18:19, 2:54 ahead of Boxer’s Andiswa Nkomo, who clocked 21:13 for second place. Boipelo Maroga of Nedbank completed the top three in 21:24. Maisa gave the series a thumbs up, saying it was important for the development of athletics in Central Gauteng. 

"This series motivates children to focus on athletics. It keeps them distracted from bad things happening nowadays. It's also very important to development," she told #TheTopRunner. 

Zanele Maisa won the women's 5km race and women's mile at the Zet Sinqe Series Run 3. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

Thembisa AC's Maqwara showed incredible form to conquer the hilly section of the course in the second half of the race. The Grade 11 learner crossed the line in 15:42, beating the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Bongani Mgcina, who was six seconds off the pace. Reatlegile Moseu was third in 16:12. Maqwara shared Maisa's views, saying the fact that the series takes place in townships, it helps get more children in the sport. 

"The series encourages children to participate in athletics. It keeps them away from things like drugs, crime and many other things happening in townships," he said. 

 Benkosi Maqwana won the men's 5km race. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

In the mile events, Maisa and Sanele Msomi of UJ clinched the open women's and men's races respectively. Ofentse Mogapi of Kopano AC and Mamepe Striders’ Bohang Qhoaisa were victorious in the U13 girls' and boys' miles, while Langaville AC’s middle-distance sensation Zanele Mzizi and Warriors of the West's (WOW) Atlegang Mokhobo won the U15 race. 

The start of one of the the mile races at the Zet Sinqe Series Run 3 in Alexandra. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

Tshepiso Mofokeng of Boxer and Olebogeng Mogapi won the U17 girls' and boys' miles, while Boxer's Sebueng Tshenolo and Curro’s Realeboga Smith clinched the U19 titles. In the mile walk, Custodio Macavele won the U15 boys’ race, with Simnikiwe Cefile clinching the girls’ title.