​Dominique Scott-Efurd chopped half a second off her 5 000m personal best on Friday night, narrowly missing out on the qualifying standard for the World Championships in London in August.
The US-based athlete, who has already achieved the B-standard in the 10 000m event, took eighth place over the shorter distance at the Payton Jordan Invitational meeting in California.
After producing a brave effort by pushing the pace up front, Scott was rewarded for her gutsy performance with a new career best of 15:24.60, bettering the 15:25.10 she set on the same Stanford track in April last year.
She was less than three seconds outside the B-standard set by Athletics SA for the biennial showpiece in the English capital.
Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, the world indoor 1 500m champion, delivered a devastating kick to drop the rest of the field in the chase for the line, winning the race in 15:13.15.

​Results of the Spar Women’s Challenge 10km road race in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (6 May, 2017):

Open: 1 Kesa Molotsane (KPMG) 33:13, 2 Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 33:21, 3 Mapaseka Makhanya (Olifantsfontein) 33:40, 4 Nolene Conrad (KPMG) 33:46, 5 Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 33:59, 6 Elizabeth Arsedo (ETH) 34:04, 7 Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 34:10, 8 Cornelia Joubert (Boxer) 34:13, 9 Louisa Leballo (Nedbank) 34:35, 10 Zintle Xiniwe (KPMG) 35:07
Veterans: 1 Tanith Maxwell (Boxer) 36:46, 2 Bulelwa Simae (N/A) 37:09, 3 Janene Carey (Boxer) 39:17
Masters: 1 Judy Bird (KPMG) 39:16, 2 Janette Schierz-Crusius (Body Concept) 46:23, 3 Suretha Verwey (N/A) 47:20
Grandmasters: 1 Margie Sanders (Nedbank) 44:17, 2 Hanlie van der Westhuizen (N/A) 46:12, 3 Sonja Laxton (RAC) 49:12
Great grandmasters: 1 Liz Jenkerson (N/A) 54:33, 2 Ronelle Steyn (N/A) 1:02:41, 3 Elaine Verreynne (N/A) 1:13:39
Juniors: 1 Simonay Weitsz (Boxer) 35:59, 2 Chery-Lee Schoeman (KPMG) 38:52, 3 Amber Reyners (Brandwag) 40:10

* Results courtesy of www.finishtime.co.za

​A 29-member national preparation squad was announced by Athletics South Africa on Monday for the IAAF World U-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya between 12-16 July.
The squad consisted of 16 boys and 13 girls, and while only 11 athletes in total had achieved the required criteria for selection to the final team, the other 18 squad members had all shown promise in their attempts to meet the necessary marks.
Though a number of athletes had either qualified, or were close to qualifying, in more than one event, Athletics SA said international rules prevented youth athletes from competing in multiple events over 400m or further, and the likes of versatile one-lap prospect Sokwakhana Zazini would need to choose a speciality.
The final national team for the biennial age group showpiece would be announced closer to the championships.

SA preparation squad for the World U-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya (12-16 July, 2017):

Boys

100m: Retshidisitswe Mlenga (AGN), Tshenolo Lemao (AGN)
200m: Mlenga, Lemao
400m: Sokwakhana Zazini (AGN)
800m: Ndimande Nthuthuko (CGA)
1 500m: Siyabonga Ndlovu (AGN), Ronen Oosthuizen (ANWN)
2 000m steeplechase: Robert de Villiers (ACNW), Olebogeng Moremi (ANWN)
110m hurdles: Julian Bogner (AGN), Roelof van der Walt (CGA)
400m hurdles: Zazini
High jump: Breyton Poole (WPA)
Pole vault: Valco van Wyk (BOL)
Long jump: Bogner
Shot put: Jonathan de Lacey Lacey (CGA)
Discus throw: Morne Brandon (CGA), De Lacey Lacey
Javelin throw: Joshua Maas (AMPU), Johannes Schlebusch (AFS)

Girls

100m: Rose Xeyi (AGN), Joviale Mbisa (AFS)
200m: Angel Kivido (AFS)
400m: Zeney van der Walt (AGN)
1 500m: Nicole Louw (AFS), Lyndi Roelofse (CGA)
3 000m: Diphua Mashishi (CGA)
2 000m steeplechase: Shanley Koekemoer (AGN), Cara du Preez (AGN)
400m hurdles: Gontse Morake (AGN), Z van der Walt
Shot put: Meike Strydom (ASWD)
Discus throw: Tharina van der Walt (AFS)
Hammer throw: T van der Walt
Javelin throw: Jana van Schalkwyk (BOLA)

​A 44-member national preparation squad has been announced by Athletics South Africa for the African Junior Championships in Tlemcen, Algeria between 29 June and 2 July.
With the continental spectacle forming the pinnacle of the international season for many of the nation’s top Under-20 athletes, a large group of 30 men has been unveiled, including the likes of Gift Leotlela, who earned the 200m silver medal at the World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz last year, fellow Olympic sprinter Clarence Munyai, who holds the SA junior 200m record, and discus thrower Werner Visser, who earned gold at the 2015 World U-18 Championships in Cali.
The women’s group, consisting of 14 athletes, is spearheaded by Taylon Bieldt, the national junior record holder in the 100m hurdles who finished seventh in her specialist discipline at the World U-20 Championships last season.
The final national team for the continental age group championships, according to ASA, will be announced closer to the event.

SA preparation squad for the African Junior Championships in Tlemcen, Algeria (29 June – 2 July, 2017):

Men

100m: Thembo Monareng (AGN), Matsoso Tsebo (AFS)
200m: Clarence Munyai (AGN), Gift Leotlela (AGN), Ethan Noble (WPA), Thando Dlodlo (CGA), Monareng
400m: Zakithi Nene (KZNA), Braam Bisschop (AGN)
800m: George Kusche (AGN)
1 500m: Kusche
10 000m: Thabo Masina (CGA), Siphiwe Mohlomi (CGA)
3 000m steeplechase: Kabelo Seboko (CGA)
110m hurdles: Mpho Tladi (AFS), Levert Pieterse (EPA), Thabo Maganyele (AGN), Shibodze Vutivi (AGN), Marcello Pienaar (WPA)
400m hurdles: Linford Maree (BOLA), Louwtjie Steenkamp (LIMA)
Pole vault: Eckhardt van der Watt (BOLA)
Long jump: Aaron Pedro (CGA)
Triple jump: Junior Mpefu (BOLA)
Shot put: Burger Lambechts (AGN), Kyle Blignaut (CGA), Patrick Duvenage (AGN)
Discus throw: Werner Visser (AGN), Francois Vermeulen (BOLA), Lambrechts, Duvenage
Hammer throw: Carel Haasbroek (AFS)
Javelin throw: Werner Dames (ACNW), Anro van Eeden (BOLA)

Women

100m: Simone van der Nest (CGA)
200m: Van der Nest
400m: Armoure le Roux (CGA)
800m: Simonay Weitsz (CGA), Niene Muller (AGN)
1 500m: Tyler Beling (AFS), Weitsz
3 000m steeplechase: Tshegofatso Setlhakgoe (AGN), Lesego Mpshe (CGA)
10 000m walk: Anet Koen (ACNW)
100m hurdles: Taylon Bieldt (AGN), Velmein Hendricks (CGA), Tanya Ehrke (CGA)
High jump: Yvonne Robson (AMPU)
Shot put: Jana Steinmann (ACNW)
Discus throw: Yolandi Stander (AGN)

​Stephen Mokoka will be back to defend his title at the FNB OneRun 12km road race in Cape Town next week, organisers have confirmed.
Mokoka needed every ounce of experience, grit and determination to thwart the challenge of Kenyan athlete Daniel Salel last season, crossing the line just one second clear in a national best of 33:34.
This year he faces a new foreign challenge from another Kenyan athlete, Morris Munene Gachaga, and 18-year-old Ethiopian prospect Walelign Belachew.
Gachaga, who displayed fine form when he won the Paris Half-Marathon in March, hopes to put up a fight against a strong line-up.
“I have heard a lot about the race and am looking forward to racing in Cape Town,” Gachaga said.
“I know the route is flat, fast and conducive to good racing, so I will make sure I am in good shape come race day.
“I know it won’t be easy with Mokoka in the race. He always makes it tough, but I am confident that I can do well.”
Mokoka, meanwhile, will be backed by a formidable local contingent, after South Africa’s elite distance runners worked well together last year to keep the men’s crown on home soil.
He will join the likes of Olympic 5 000m finalist Elroy Gelant, gutsy front runner Lucky Mohale, in-form marathon specialist Desmond Mokgobu and cross country star David Manja.
Soweto-based athlete Namakoe Nkhasi of Lesotho, who dominated the domestic circuit most of last season, is also in the elite line-up.
“I want to defend my title,” said Mokoka, who sharpened up for the race by turning out as one of the pace setters for Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in Nike’s sub-2 marathon attempt last week.
“Pacing for Eliud showed me that I am in good form. It is important for me to make sure the (OneRun) title stays in South Africa.”
For more information on the third edition of the OneRun race, to be held on May 21, visit www.thecapetown12.com

​In-form long jumper Luvo Manyonga will lead a four-man South African contingent at the second leg of the Diamond League series in Shanghai, China on Saturday.
Manyonga, who set a national record of 8.65m to win the national title in Potchefstroom last month, will be joined in the long jump by fellow Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena, who leaped 8.05m at an indoor meeting in Karlsruhe in February, and African champion Ruswahl Samaai, who set a personal best of 8.49m at the recent SA Senior Championships to settle in second place in the 2017 world rankings.
They will be up against a field including American Jeff Henderson, who edged out Manyonga by one centimetre to win the Olympic title in Rio last year, and Australian Fabrice Lapierre, the World Championships silver medallist in Beijing two years ago.
National record holder LJ van Zyl, meanwhile, will line up in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Van Zyl, who was third at the Diamond League season opener in Doha last week, is up against the likes of Olympic champion Kerron Clement of the United States, and Kenyan world champion Nicholas Bett.

Schedule of SA athletes competing at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai on Saturday, 13 May 2017 (SA times):

1.03pm – LJ van Zyl (men’s 400m hurdles)
1.27pm – Luvo Manyonga, Ruswahl Samaai, Khotso Mokoena (men’s long jump)

* The meeting will be broadcast live on SuperSport 9

​Luvo Manyonga narrowly missed his own national record in Shanghai, China on Saturday, delivering a superb 8.61m leap to win the men’s long jump at the second leg of the IAAF Diamond League series.
He was four centimetres shy of the SA best he set to win the national title in Potchefstroom last month, going beyond 8.40m with three of his six attempts.
He finished well clear of local favourite Gao Xinglong, who ended second with a leap of 8.22m.
With South Africa well represented in the single-leap discipline, Ruswahl Samaai earned fifth spot (8.18m) and Khotso Mokoena took eighth place (7.85m).
In-form athlete LJ van Zyl, the only other SA athlete competing at the meeting, also produced a commendable performance in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Van Zyl, who was third in Doha last week, added another Diamond League podium to his solid season, covering the one-lap race over the barriers in 49.35 seconds.
Bershawn Jackson of the United States stormed to victory in 48.63.
The third of 14 legs in the IAAF Diamond League series will be held in Eugene, Oregon on May 26.

​Irvette van Zyl will turn out as the pre-race favourite on Sunday when the defending champion goes in search of back-to-back victories at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
With in-form athlete Kesa Molotsane and a resurgent Louisa Leballo missing from the line-up, Van Zyl spearheads the elite women’s field, which was revealed by organisers on Wednesday.
“I am looking forward to the race. I had a really good run here in 2016 and would like to defend my title,” Van Zyl said.
“It is sad that Kesa is not here because we have had some great races this year, but that doesn’t mean that I can relax. There is Nolene Conrad and Cornelia Joubert to name but two who will be tough to beat.”
Conrad has displayed good form this season, earning bronze in the 5000m final at the SA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom last month (behind Molotsane and Van Zyl) and taking second place behind Van Zyl at the recent Two Oceans Half-Marathon.
Joubert set a 10km personal best of 33:46 at the opening leg of the Spar Women’s Grand Prix Series in Cape Town last month and finished fourth at the Two Oceans Half-Marathon.
While Diana-Lebo Phalula, who finished second at the ONERUN race last year, is also missing from the line-up as she is expecting her first child, her twin sister Lebogang has been included in the field.
Defending champion Stephen Mokoka was announced in the elite men’s line-up last week, along with Kenyan athlete Morris Munene Gachaga, who won the Paris Half-Marathon in March.
They are up against the likes of former SA half-marathon champion Lucky Mohale, local tack star Elroy Gelant and Namakoe Nkhasi of Lesotho.
Ethiopian teenager Walelign Belachew, who had also been included in the elite field, has since withdrawn.
A mass field of 13 000 entrants are set to take to the streets of the Mother City for the third edition of the annual 12km road race.
Adding a new dimension to the contest, which offers a R200 000 prize purse, the race features a 100m sprint en route to the finish, in the PUMA ‘Beat Bolt’ speed dash.
The fastest man and woman over that timed section of the route will receive a PUMA shopping voucher to the value of R10 000.
For more information visit www.thecapetown12.com

​Having earned success last year by taking a team approach, South Africa’s elite men will work together again on Sunday in an attempt to keep the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN title on home soil.
At the inaugural event in 2015, Kenyan athlete Emmanuel Bett outsprinted compatriot Daniel Salel to lift the crown, but the Kenyan contingent faced a local onslaught last season.
With the likes of Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant and Sibusiso Nzima pushing the pace up front, Mokoka launched a late attack down the lengthy finishing straight, edging out Salel to win in 33:34, setting an SA best over the rarely run 12km distance and missing the world best by three seconds.
“It’s going to be another great race,” Gelant said in the build-up to the event, which has attracted 14 000 runners in the mass field.
“We’re going to work as a team again, and maybe over the last 100m we’ll go for the sprint.
“We run better as a team, and we’re friends, but when we get to the line, it’ll be winner takes all.”
Though Salel is missing from the line-up this weekend, Paris Half-Marathon champion Morris Gachaga will lead the Kenyan charge.
The SA contingent, which includes Mokoka, Gelant, Nzima, Gladwin Mzazi and Lucky Mohale, are also expected to face a challenge from Namakoe Nkhasi of Lesotho.
In the absence of defending champion Irvette van Zyl, who fell ill ahead of the event, the women’s race is a wide open contest.
The field, packed with local contenders, features the likes of Mapaseka Makhanya, Nolene Conrad, Lebogang Phalula, and marathon specialists Cornelia Joubert, Jenna Challenor and Christine Kalmer, as well as Zimbabwean athlete Rutendo Nyahora.

​Results of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN road race on Sunday, 21 May 2017 (RSA unless otherwise stated):

Men

Open: 1 Morris Gachaga (KEN) 33:27, 2 Namakoe Nkhasi (LES) 33:43, 3 Elroy Gelant 33:54, 4 Gladwin Mzazi 34:10, 5 David Manja 34:10, 6 Stephen Mokoka 34:43, 7 Joel Mmone 34:56, 8 Lucky Mohale 35:14, 9 Sibusiso Nzima 35:38, 10 Mbongeni Ngxazozo 35:47
Veterans: 1 Philani Buthelezi 37:03, 2 Zongamele Dyubeni 38:38, 3 Tsungai Mwanengeni (ZIM) 38:59
Masters: 1 Stephen Motau 43:08, 2 John September 43:16, 3 Henry Wolstenholme 43:19
Grandmasters: 1 Leslie Chivell 48:32, 2 Robbie Lindsay 48:56, 3 Nick Steen 53:20
Great grandmasters: 1 Jeff Smith 56:47, 2 Ronnie le Roux 1:01:55, 3 Ebrahim Isaacs 1:08:46
Juniors: 1 Rowhaldo Ratz 37:56, 2 Deon Hendricks 38:59, 3 Aubrey Kotze 39:07

Women

Open: 1 Tish Jones (GBR) 39:50, 2 Nolene Conrad 41:08, 3 Maria Shai 41:14, 4 Lebogang Phalula 41:20, 5 Rutendo Nyahora (ZIM) 41:24, 6 Mapaseka Makhanya 41:52, 7 Cornelia Joubert 42:03, 8 Zintle Xiniwe 42:25, 9 Glenrose Xaba 42:33, 10 Christine Kalmer 43:09
Veterans: 1 Tanith Maxwell 44:46, 2 Linda Kinloch 49:00, 3 Geraldine von Fintel 50:07
Masters: 1 Judy Bird 47:39, 2 Obertina Kanyongo (ZIM) 48:56, 3 Mariette Strauss 50:30
Grandmasters: 1 Nancy Will 52:43, 2 Rica Bochnig 55:54, 3 Charmaine Cupido 57:46
Great grandmasters: 1 Veronica van Niekerk 1:01:04, 2 Marlene James 1:09:40, 3 Avril Dumont 1:15:28
Juniors: 1 Ashleigh Simonis 44:14, 2 Simonay Weitsz 45:49, 3 Laila Abouzaid 53:53

* Results courtesy of www.finishtime.co.za

​The foreign contingent reclaimed the men’s and women’s titles on Sunday, with Kenyan athlete Morris Gachaga breaking the 12km world best at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN road race.
Leading a pack of 10 men in the early stages, the Kenyan gradually increased the intensity as his opponents dropped off the pace one by one.
With only local star Elroy Gelant and Namakoe Nkhasi of Lesotho able to keep up in the latter stages, they too were dropped as Gachaga threw down some surges in the second half.
He completed the race in 33:27, clipping four seconds off the world best set by compatriot Sammy Kitwara at the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco in 2009.
Nkhasi put up a brave fight to finish second in 33:43, and Elroy Gelant was the first SA athlete, repeating his third-place finish last year in 33:54.
British athlete Tish Jones, who lives in Cape Town, completely dominated the women’s race, breaking the tape in 39:50.
Nolene Conrad led the local charge, grabbing second spot in 41:08.

* Full results are available in our Results section

​Ultra-distance runner Caroline Wöstmann will not defend her Comrades Marathon ‘up’ run title next week after losing a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury.
Wöstmann confirmed on Monday she had withdrawn from the 87km contest between Durban and Pietermaritzburg after receiving advice from her medical team.
“Despite aggressive recovery treatments and rehab to the injury, it hasn’t healed sufficiently to allow me to safely compete at Comrades this year,” said Wostmann, who withdrew in the early stages of the Old Mutual Two Oceans 56km race last month after picking up the niggle.
“I won’t be running the Comrades Marathon but I will be one of the supporters.
“Even though everything in me wants to go and run Comrades, I have made the heart-breaking decision to listen to my medical team and withdraw from the race.”
The 34-year-old Wöstmann made history in 2015 when she became the first South African woman to win the Comrades Marathon in 17 years.
Last year she battled through cramps and injury to finish second behind compatriot Charne Bosman, who put up a fight in the latter stages to earn her maiden title.
The 92nd edition of the world’s largest and most prestigious ultra-marathon, attracting more than 20 000 entrants this year, will be held on June 4.

​Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be eager to extend her lead in the early stages of the IAAF Diamond League season when she competes at the third leg of the series in Eugene, Oregon this weekend.
After winning the women’s 800m campaign last year, Semenya took the lead in the 2017 Diamond League race when she stormed to victory in 1:56.61 at the opening leg in Doha earlier this month, climbing to the top of the world rankings in her specialist discipline.
Though seven other women in the line-up have dipped under 1:58.00 in their careers, only Olympic silver and bronze medallists Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenyan Margaret Wambui have gone under 1:57:00, and they are expected to put up the strongest fight against the dominant SA record holder at the annual Prefontaine Classic.
While javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen and 400m hurdler Wenda Nel were also included in the provisional entry lists released earlier this week, both were removed from the updated lists on the eve of the meeting, leaving Semenya to carry the SA flag.
Semenya will turn out on day two of the meeting, to be broadcast live on SuperSport (channels 2 and 9) with the women’s two-lap race scheduled to start at 11.16pm (SA time) on Saturday night.

​Caster Semenya extended her lead in the Diamond League series in her specialist event, winning the women’s 800m race at the third leg of the campaign in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday night.
Having won the opening leg of the series in Doha a few weeks earlier, Semenya returned to the track to grab a hard-fought victory in 1:57.78.
Margaret Wambui of Kenya worked hard in an attempt to secure a rare triumph over the South African star, but she settled for second place in 1:57.88.
Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi earned third position in 1:59.10, with the top six women all dipping under two minutes.
The next leg in the Diamond League series takes place in Rome, Italy on June 8.

​Two national age group teams have been announced by Athletics South Africa for upcoming international events.
While large junior and youth preparation squads of 44 and 29 athletes respectively were named earlier this season, both groups have been cut significantly.
A 14-member final national team, including nine men and five women, has been confirmed for the African Junior Championships in Tlemcen, Algeria from 29 June to 2 July.
They will be led by the likes of Olympic sprinter Clarence Munyai, who set a national junior 200m record of 20.10 seconds in Pretoria earlier this season, and SA junior 100m hurdles record holder Taylon Bieldt, who clocked a national best of 13.35 to reach the final at the World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz last year.
An 11-member final national team, including eight boys and three girls, has also been revealed for the World Youth Championships in Nairobi, Kenya between 12-16 July.
They will be spearheaded by Sokwakhana Zazini, who set a world youth 400m hurdles best of 48.84 in Pretoria in March, and Tharina van der Walt, who launched a national youth best of 66.99m in the women’s hammer throw in Pretoria last month.

SA team, African Junior Championships:

Men

100m: Thembo Monareng (AGN)
200m: Clarence Munyai (AGN)
800m: George Kusche (AGN)
1 500m: Kusche
Shot put: Kyle Blignaut (CGA), Patrick Duvenage (AGN)
Discus throw: Werner Visser (AGN), Duvenage
Hammer throw: Carel Haasbroek (AFS)
Javelin throw: Hernu van Vuuren (CGA), Werner Dames (ACNW)

Women

800m: Simonay Weitsz (CGA)
1 500m: Weitsz
100m hurdles: Taylon Bieldt (AGN)
High jump: Yvonne Robson (AMPU)
Shot put: Jana Steinmann (ACNW)
Discus throw: Yolandi Stander (AGN)

SA team, World Youth Championships:

Boys

100m: Retshidisitswe Mlenga (AGN), Tshenolo Lemao (AGN)
200m: Mlenga, Lemao
110m hurdles: Julian Bogner (AGN)
400m hurdles: Sokwakhana Zazini (AGN)
High jump: Breyton Poole (WPA)
Pole vault: Valco van Wyk (BOLA)
Long jump: Bogner
Discus throw: Brandon Morne (CGA)
Javelin throw: Joshua Maas (AMPU)

Girls

400m hurdles: Zeney van der Walt (AGN), Gontse Morake (AGN)
Discus throw: Tharina van der Walt (AFS)
Hammer throw: Tharina van der Walt

​Sprinter Wayde van Niekerk was the star performer at the weekend, leading the charge as South African track athletes shone overseas while local road runners carried the flag on home soil.
Van Niekerk won the 200m race at the Adidas Boost Games in Boston on Sunday night, clocking 19.84 seconds on a straight 200m track to set an unofficial SA best in the rarely run event.
Compatriot Akani Simbine, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on securing victory in the 100m dash at the unique meeting, crossing the line in second position in 10.21, as he was pipped on the line by Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago.
Two days earlier, at the opening leg of the Boost Games series, distance runner Dominique Scott grabbed second spot in the women’s 1 500m race on the track, covering the distance in 4:12.48.
Back on home soil, Bongmusa Mthembu produced a spectacular run to win the annual Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal for the second time.
Mthembu, the national 100km record holder, completed the 86.7km road race in 5:35:34 to add to his previous victory in 2014.
While he ensured the men’s title went to a local athlete for the sixth year in a row, the women’s event was won by a foreign runner for the first time since 2014.
American athlete Camille Herron earned her maiden Comrades victory in 6:27:35, and last year’s winner Charne Bosman was the first SA woman home, taking third place in 6:39:51.
In Cape Town on Saturday, versatile distance runner Elroy Gelant delivered an impressive effort at the UWC Bestmed 10km race, clocking 28:18 for a gun-to-tape victory.

​A 28-member national team has been announced by Athletics South Africa (ASA) for the Southern Region Senior Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe next week.
The final team consists of 11 men and 17 women who will compete against squads from various Southern African countries.
The SA contingent will be led by the likes of Johan Grobler and Jo-Ane van Dyk, who both bagged silver medals at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz last year.

SA team, Southern Region Senior Championships, Harare (10-11 June, 2017):

Men

100m: Hendrik Maartens (AFS), Luxolo Adams (EPA)
200m: Maartens, Adams
800m: Tshepo Tshite (ACNW)
5 000m: Thabang Mosiako (ACNW)
400m hurdles: Kefilwe Mogawane (AGN)
High jump: Chris Moleya (AGN)
Triple jump: Sefako Mokhosoa (AFS)
Shot put: Jason van Rooyen (CGA)
Javelin throw: Johan Grobler (ACNW), Brendan Skinner (AGN)
Decathlon: Fredriech Pretorius (AGN)

Women

100m: Tamzin Thomas (WPA), Lente Pieterse (ACNW)
200m: Thomas
800m: Gena Lofstrand (KZNA), Niene Muller (AGN)
400m hurdles: Belindie van der Merwe
High jump: Julia du Plessis (ACNW), Marilize Higgens (CGA), Geraldine King (WPA)
Triple jump: Zinzi Chabangu (CGA)
Shot put: Jana Steinmann (ACNW)
Hammer throw: Letitia Janse van Vuuren (ACNW), Stephanie Greyling (ACNW), Marga Cumming (ACNW)
Javelin throw: Jo-Ane van Dyk (ACNW), Megan Wilke (ACNW)
Heptathlon: Nienka du Toit (BOLA), Nicola Schoeman (AGN)

​Olympic high-hurdles semifinalist Antonio Alkana broke the South African record in his specialist discipline on Monday evening.
Alkana took the win in the men’s 110m race over the barriers in 13.11 at a European Classic Permit meeting in Prague, Czech Republic to improve the national and continental mark of 13.24 set by Lehann Fourie in Brussels in September 2012.
He was 0.13 ahead of Hungarian athlete Balazs Baji, the European Championships silver medallist, who took second position.
In the women’s 400m hurdles race, Wenda Nel gave a clear indication she was approaching her best form, taking a convincing win in 54.66.
She completed the race 0.76 clear of her nearest competitor, World Student Games champion Joanna Linkiewicz of Poland.
Sprinter Thando Roto grabbed third spot in the men’s 100m dash in 10.15, just behind Mosito Lehata who equalled his own Lesotho national record of 10.11 to triumph in a blanket finish.
Cornel Fredericks also took third place in the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.42, and Lindsay Hanekom was fifth, setting a season’s best of 50.63.
Senegalese-born French athlete Hann Mamadou Kasse Hann won the battle over the barriers in 49.02.
Dumisani Hlaselo settled for 17th place in the 1 500m race in 3:49.13.
Elsewhere on Monday evening, Pieter Conradie earned second place in the men’s 400m race in 45.88 at a meeting in Rehlingen, Germany.
Middle-distance runner Rynardt van Rensburg finished third in a tactical 800m battle at the same meeting in 1:47.66.
National 200m record holder Anaso Jobodwana was fourth in the 100m contest in 10.28 with the benefit of a +2.2 metres per second tailwind.
Tebogo Mamathu seemed to face some trouble in the women’s short sprint, trailing across the line outside 18 seconds, though it was unclear what had hampered the Pretoria-based sprinter.

​The annual Comrades Marathon is a hectic day for everyone involved, with runners, spectators, volunteers and organisers all immersed in 12-hours of drama which captures the imagination of the nation.

While local star Bongmusa Mthembu (5:35:34) and American athlete Camille Herron (6:27:35) emerged triumphant at the front of the field, nearly 14 000 finishers tackled their own personal battles throughout the day in the 87km up run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
With so many stories to tell, and mind-boggling stats to analyse, here are a few bits and pieces you may have missed:

* With a countrywide campaign gaining momentum, #rungreen supporters would have been pleased to see Mthembu weaving across the road during the race to ensure he landed his empty water sachets in the bins. Making a fine example for the rest of the field

* Herron, a home brewer by hobby, drank two beers (mixed with ginger beer) during the race. At the post-race press conference her husband evoked a good laugh from the floor when he popped over to place a bottle of local craft beer in front of her on the table. “I like to party,” Herron admitted with a chuckle. We think the winners’ circle may have polished off more beer than the media contingent this year, which would break all sorts of records

* SA women’s marathon record holder Colleen de Reuck finished seventh for the second year in a row, at the age of 53. Based in the United States, she has represented her adoptive nation since 2000, but it was good to see her back in the country again. She won the masters’ division by more than an hour

* Shaun Meiklejohn, who won the men’s race in 1995, took fourth place in the masters’ category in 7:04:55. In his 29 finishes, Meiklejohn has now racked up a remarkable tally of 10 gold and 19 silver medals, and at the age of 55 he’s still going strong

* Chris Cherry, the brother of former women’s winner Caroline Wostmann, finished the race in 26th position overall, crossing the line in a useful time of 6:06:38. Wostmann is a chartered accountant and Cherry is an actuarial science lecturer. Invent a game of running chess and their family would be unbeatable

* Elite athlete Ann Ashworth, one of the local favourites who withdrew from the race in the first kilometre with a hamstring injury, shoved aside her own disappointment and spent the rest of the day next to the road supporting the other runners. Worthy of a Spirit of Comrades award nomination? We think so

* Among the gutsy people running for various causes were the likes of Graham Wells, who completed the race without shoes to raise money for children in need, and rastafarian beekeeper Farai Chinomwe, who again ran the entire race backwards to raise awareness for the insects. Tumelo Mokobane and Hazel Moller were incredible, tackling a 900km journey in 10 days to raise money and food for pets. There are many more similar stories and feats to be shared. We tip our hats to all those who took the gruelling challenge to another level for those in need

* Official Comrades coach Lindsey Parry finished 237th in 7:11:56, earning his third silver medal. We see a sub-seven on the horizon, as long as the renowned mentor of the ultra elite is able to take his own advice. High five coach!

* Nicole Matthews looked a bit stunned when her boyfriend Carl Hansen hauled out a banner after he finished, popping the big question. With ring in hand, wobbling on one knee, a long day came to a happy end for the hopeful runner when an emotional Matthews said ‘yes’

* After completing the race, Cuan Walker urged fellow SABC commentator and former SA 400m sprint record holder Arnaud Malherbe to join the participants at a future edition of the race. Comrades is 220 times further than Malherbe is used to racing, but we’ve heard he’s been spotted at parkruns, so we’re not writing him off

Well done to all who finished the 92nd edition of the historic race. We invite you to share your stories on our Facebook page

​Results of the 92nd Comrades Marathon, an 86.7km up run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 4 June 2017:

Men

Open: 1 Bongmusa Mthembu (RSA) 5:35:34, 2 Hatiwande Nyamande (ZIM) 5:38:48, 3 Gift Kelehe (RSA) 5:41:48, 4 Ludwick Mamabolo (RSA) 5:42:40, 5 Charles Tjiane (RSA) 5:45:26, 6 Siphiwe Ndlela (RSA) 5:45:57, 7 Teboho Sello (LES) 5:47:02, 8 Prodigal Khumalo (ZIM) 5:47:11, 9 Steven Way (GBR) 5:49:40, 10 Fritjof Fagerlund (SWE) 5:49:50
Veterans: 1 Ludwick Mamabolo (RSA) 5:42:40, 2 Charles Tjiane (RSA) 5:45:26, 3 Steven Way (GBR) 5:49:40
Masters: 1 Reginald Ngobese (RSA) 6:46:07, 2 George Mooi (RSA) 7:00:25, 3 Ronald Shibiri (RSA) 7:01:39
Grandmasters: 2 David von Sendon (RSA) 7:52:11, 2 Josiah Makoro (RSA) 7:58:14, 3 Errol Shear (RSA) 8:07:32

Teams

Elite: 1 Nedbank Running Club AGN
Open: 1 Pietersburg Road Runners, 2 Nedbank Running Club KZN, 3 Maxed KZN
Veterans: 1 KPMG Running Club CGA, 2 Nedbank Running Club KZN, 3 Maxed KZN

Women

Open: 1 Camille Herron (USA) 6:27:35, 2 Alexandra Morozova (RUS) 6:31:45, 3 Charne Bosman (RSA) 6:39:51, 4 Gerda Steyn (RSA) 6:45:45, 5 Jasmin Nunige (SUI) 6:46:21, 6 Sarah Bard (USA) 6:49:30, 7 Colleen de Reuck (RSA) 6:55:36, 8 Danette Smith (RSA) 6:58:38, 9 Stephanie Smith (RSA) 7:00:30, 10 Devon Yanko (USA) 7:05:55
Veterans: 1 Charne Bosman (RSA) 6:39:51, 2 Salome Cooper (RSA) 7:22:30, 3 Maria Vilakazi (RSA) 7:41:42
Masters: 1 Colleen de Reuck (USA) 6:55:36, 2 Tia Jones (RSA) 7:56:57, 3 Jane Mudau (RSA) 8:33:51
Grandmasters: 1 Val Watson (RSA) 9:24:15, 2 Lynne Semple (RSA) 9:53:08, 3 Blanche Moila (RSA) 9:58:24

Teams

Open: 1 KPMG Running Club AGN, 2 Easy Equities Born2Run CGA, 3 Team Vitality CGA
Veterans: 1 KWay VOB Running Club, 2 Rand Athletic Club, 3 Strand Athletic Club

* Full results available at www.comrades.com