Closing out a superb season, Glenrose Xaba earned her third national title of the year, while Precious Mashele showed his opponents a clean pair of heels with a clinical performance at the ASA 10km Championships in Mbombela on Sunday.
Xaba retained the ASA 10km title she won last year, adding to the national crowns she secured earlier in the 2023 campaign over 10 000m on the track and 21.1km on the road.
The defending champion, representing Athletics Gauteng North (AGN), stormed home in 32:07 to win gold, completing the race just 12 seconds outside her personal best.
She held off a challenge from in-form athlete Cacisile Sosibo, who grabbed silver for Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) in 32:47, while national cross country champion Karabo Mailula (AGN) secured bronze in 34:12.
In the men's race, Mashele had to work hard for it in a closely contested fight for the line, but the national record holder showed his class with a well-timed finish.
After going through halfway in 14:34, as part of a large group, Mashele managed to shake off his opposition in the closing stages to win gold in 29:12.
He finished four seconds ahead of CGA teammate Chris Mhlanga (29:16), with Siyabonga Ndlovu rounding off the podium for KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) by snatching third spot in 29:24.
Defending champion Andries Sesedi (CGA) settled for fourth position in 29:32, narrowly missing out on a medal.
"Congratulations to the medallists, as well as all other participants who represented their provinces at the ASA 10km Championships," said Athletics South Africa President James Moloi.
"These impressive performances are a very fitting way to end the season and we would like to thank the organisers of the Tswelopele Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon for hosting our final national championship event of the year.
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