Cream of the crop expected at WP Cross Country Champs
by Thabiso Mazosiwe
Western Province Athletics (WPA) will be hosting their Cross Country Championship on Saturday 17 August 2019 at Fairmont High School in Durbanville.
Athletes can look forward to exciting, but challenging new course which is sure to bring out the best from all the participants.
The new course starts in the middle sports field then heads towards the school before going past the past pupils’ square, from there it drops down to the lower fields. It then ascends steadily and goes past the start/finish area going onto the top fields. There is another drop, taking you down before you climb back up until you re-emerge onto the top fields again, leading runners to the middle fields and then the finish.
The championships kick off at 08h30 with the 8km Master Men and Boys u20 race and culminates with the 4km race at 14h05. During the championships there will be team competition trophies on offer. Athletes will also be looking forward to selection to the WPA team that will compete at the ASA Championships in Pretoria, up for grabs.
After the last league race, hosted by Velocity, saw Bruce-Lynn Damons of UWC laying down the gauntlet in the men’s 10km with a comfortable win in 30:38 and CPUT’s Leanda du Bruyn taking the women’s 10km in 37:03, battle lines have been drawn.
The women’s title will be a hotly contested affair with Leanda du Bruyn, Kyla van Graan, Vuyiseka Nkumenge the main contenders, followed closely by Nolubabalo Dyonase and an ever-improving return to form Pamela Moyikwa joining that mix.
The men’s tittle could also be as explosive with Rowaldo Ratz, who has two victories this season, joined by Du-Wayne Philander, Vuyolwethu Mbukushe, Sibusiso Magwaza, Emiele Paulsen, Andre Afrika and Anthony Timotheus. Ashley Smith, who managed a 2nd place at League 1, before shifting his focus to training for the 3000m Steeple Chase event at the World Student Games and was rewarded with a Bronze Medal, will also be joining the mix.
Other interesting races to look out for are the girls u20 race over 6km, which will see the usual suspects, Athemba Nqumashe, Kia Gibbs and Caitlyn Schlehmeyer competing for top honours.
The Boys u20 race over 8km, will see Oliver Stewart taking on Carlo Flink, Gershon Aziza, and Mzwamdoda Nonjiko.
The girls u18 race, run over 4km will see the ever-present Alexa Mesham, Farren Wenn, Laila Abuzaid, Kharnya Francis and Anja van Heerden all tussling for the top honour.
The Boys u18 race will see, Edward Jack taking on Busisani Metu and Ruchen Blaauw for top honours.
For more information visit www.wpa.org.za and the “WPA Cross Country – WPACC” Facebook page
WPACC Champs Info
Please Note:
- After the first race has started at 08h30, no one other than the competing athletes in that particular race will be allowed on the actual course
- Parents/coaches are not allowed to run on the route with children
- No seconding will be allowed away from the designated zone around the water table
- Report to the Call-Room 15 minutes before the scheduled start of your event and ensure that your entry card is correctly completed and pinned
- No Spectators will be allowed on the course or within the finish chutes
- Only cross the course when allowed to do so by a designated Marshal
- No warming up on the course
- Slower runners must give immediate right of way when being lapped by the runners lapping them
- Any appeal must be lodged to the TIC by the Team Manager/Club Representative within 30minutes of the Medal Presentation of that particular race. An appeal fee of R500 will be payable
- NO LITTERING WHATSOEVER
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR WPA/SCHOOLS CHAMPS AT FAIRMONT HIGH ON SATURDAY
Please follow the instructions of the security on duty.
- Busses to drop athletes off in the main car park and then leave the parking area through the main gates. At the traffic lights, they turn left and can park along Durban Road towards the rose gardens or on the other side of the road.
- Cars to park on designated parking spaces. Once the Car park has reached capacity the cars will be directed to the overflow car park (The fields below Durban Road). This will be signposted. A security guard will be on duty throughout the day.
- Please respect the neighbours and do not park on their grass verges or in front of their driveways as your car will be towed away.
- Please do not park on the red lines, the traffic department will be on duty to issue fines for offenders.
- It can get very congested so allow enough time for parking.