South Africa’s leading distance runners will have far more than national titles on their minds when they line up at the ASA Road Running Championships in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The championships, held in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Bay Half-Marathon, will double as the national trials for the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September, ensuring fierce competition across the half-marathon, 5km and mile events.
The biggest prize will be in the 21km races, where the first two men and women across the line will earn automatic selection for the South African team, provided they achieve the qualifying standards of 1:03:50 for men and 1:13:50 for women before the qualifying window closes on July 20.
While four South African men – Adriaan Wildschutt, Thabang Mosiako, Adam Lipschitz and Elroy Gelant – have already met the required standard, only Glenrose Xaba has done so in the women’s race, leaving plenty to fight for on Gqeberha’s traditionally fast, flat course.
Former national marathon champion Bennet Seloyi heads the men’s title contenders after showing impressive speed over shorter distances in recent seasons. He is expected to face stiff opposition from Melikhaya Frans, who won the national half-marathon crown on the same roads in 2022.
In the women’s 21km race, Cacisile Sosibo starts as the favourite after finishing an outstanding 10th at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, where she clocked a personal best of 1:09:31. Another strong performance would go a long way towards securing her return to the global stage.
The battle for World Championships places also extends to the shorter events.
Former South African 5km record holder Ryan Mphahlele will be eager to prove he is back to his best after injury setbacks, though rising talents Musawenkosi Mnisi and Zenzile Pheko will be looking to spring an upset.
In the mile races, multiple national record holder Tshepo Tshite enters as the overwhelming favourite in the men’s field, while reigning South African 1 500m champion Karabo More is expected to lead the women’s challenge.
Reigning ASA 10km champion Tayla Kavanagh is also expected to contest the women’s 5km, adding further quality to a race with World Championships places on the line. Another national title would further strengthen her credentials as one of South Africa’s leading road runners and boost her hopes of securing a place on the plane to Copenhagen.
Automatic qualification is also available in the 5km and mile events for the winners who meet the required standards, with ASA retaining the discretion to complete the national squad based on world rankings, head-to-head performances, current fitness and medal potential.
With national honours and places on the plane to Copenhagen both up for grabs, Saturday’s championships promise some of the most fiercely contested road racing of the domestic season. Racing gets under way at 7am from Pollok Beach.
