Tatai wins first senior title as More completes ASA cross country double

Amogelang Tatai outsprinted Musawenkosi Mnisi in a thrilling finish to claim his first senior title at the ASA Cross Country Championships at Curro Hazeldean, while Karabo More capped a memorable afternoon with a 4km and 2km double.

In perfect, albeit unusual, overcast and windy early spring conditions on September 5, Tatai silenced a partisan crowd backing Mnisi as he surged down the final straight, denying Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) a sweep of the senior 4km titles after More’s victory in the women’s race.

Tatai celebrates a memorable victory - his first as a senior athlete - at the ASA Cross Country Championships. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

The Athletics Central North West (ACNW) athlete had to work hard for victory against a quality field that included defending champion Sibusiso Msibi of CGA, Ryan Mphahlele of KZNA and AGN duo Abednico Choba and Thapelo Ramokhoase. Tatai bided his time in the chasing pack alongside Mphahlele and Mnisi after Ramokhoase took control going into the final lap. He then launched his attack in the closing stages, producing a devastating kick in the final 60m to edge Mnisi by just 0.42 seconds. The 20-year old Potch Track Club athlete crossed the line in 11:34.45, with Mnisi second in 11:34.87 and Mphahlele completing the podium in 11:44.38.

“I knew I had something in my legs and knew I had to give it all in the last 60m. I’m so proud of myself because I knew I put in the work and have been consistent. The plan was to finish in the top three, but it’s amazing. I feel proud of myself,” he told #TheTopRunner.

More’s victory was far more routine as the African 1 500m champion took control from the gun and quickly shrugged off an early challenge from ACNW’s Danielle Verster. She began opening a significant gap midway through the first lap and had an advantage of almost 70m by halfway, effectively putting the race beyond doubt.

More, coached by Caster and Violet Semenya, completed the two-lap course in 13:22.54 to secure her third consecutive senior 4km crown. Verster finished second in 13:43.83, while Athletics Free State’s Lizandrè Mulder took third in 14:07.82 after earlier winning bronze in the women’s 10km.

In the absence of defending champion Glenrose Xaba Nicola Jansen defeated Camisole Sosibo to win the senior women's 10km crown. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

“I’m very happy. It’s the result I expected. I trained for it and was really aiming for a hat-trick. By the grace of God, I got it. I decided to take it from the start to see where I was, and it worked,” said More.

Less than 30 minutes later, the Boxer AC star returned to the course to win the 2km title in 06:32.76 as she prepares to represent South Africa at the World Athletics Road Running Championships later this month.

Tladi managed to get the better of his CGA teammate Tladi, while Dumisani Motloung of Athletics Free State took the bronze medal in the men's 2km race. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

CGA’s Tumelo Lerumo won the men’s 2km in 05:36.75, edging provincial teammate Modupe Tladi by 1.02 seconds. Earlier, Zenzile Pheko improved on his silver medal from last year by winning the men’s 10km in a dominant 30:33.50, while AGN’s Nicola Jansen produced one of the championship’s biggest upsets in the women’s 10km, beating Cacisile Sosibo to the title in 35:51.01.

Pheko won his first senior title when he dominated the men's 10km race. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.