All smiles - Motsamai Motone after his 5000m PB in Port Elizabeth (© Mark Ouma)
Distance runners Motsamai Motone and Reuben Ramolefi won their races in impressive style at the Yellow Pages Track and Field meeting in Port Elizabeth South Africa on Friday (09).
The intermittent rain and headwind slowed down the sprinters while the wet conditions kept many fans away from the stadium. However, the weather seemed to have brought out the best in the long distance runners.
The day’s most exciting event was the 5000m where Motsamai Motone lead the field through 1000m in 2:30. This triggered a series of “fartleks” from those in the lead chase group with Boy Soke, Tshamano Setone, Isaac Mbuyasa, and Mbongeni Ngxazozo taking turns leading the race.
Motone stayed close to the front and again went ahead with two laps to go. This time he never gave up the lead. Instead he accelerated and clinched victory in a career best of 13:47.97. Soke (13:49.37), setone (13:50.16), Ngxazozo (13:50.49)and Mbuyasa (13:58.02) followed.
“I am at a loss of words,"Motone said. "I did not expect that my aggressive lead would trigger such a response from the others. Gone are the days when athletes run a tactical race waiting for the last two laps to sprint to the finish. I think I can improve my time in better weather conditions."
Later on Ramolefi took charge of the proceeding right from the starter’s gun in the 3000m Steeplechase. His perennial rival Emmanuel Mkhabela responded and the duo blew away the field early in the race. The decisive moment came in at the last water jump where Ramolefi pulled away to win in 8:27.45. Mkhabela (8:34.84) was runner-up and Sivuyile Dlongwana (9:06.13) came in a distant third.
“I was determined to not only qualify for the World Championships in (Osaka) Japan, but also to better the South African record (8:19)," Ramolefi said. "This is the best time I have ever run in my first race of the season. So I look forwards to running under 8:20 in the coming weeks."
Others who impressed in the women’s races were 3000m steeplechase runner Tebogo Masehla (10:05.51), Lebogana Phalula (4:14.46) in 1500m and 20-year-old Zintle Xiniwe (15:58.47) in 5000m.
Elsewhere African Hammer Throw record holder Chris Harmse appears to be returning to form after winning his event with a creditable 73.96 throw.
“I only resumed training three weeks ago after the shoulder injury I sustained when I was struck by a javelin during training. What encourages me is that I have competed with no pain from the muscle that where affected by the injury,” said Harmse.
Other notable performances came from shot putters Janus Robberts (18.99) and Simone du Toit 16.24, Anika Smit in the women's High Jump (1.85), Justine Robbeson (60.24) in the Javelin Throw and Elizna Naude (62.34) in the Discus Throw.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
SELECTED RESULTS -
(WAC denotes qualified ‘A’ Standard for IAAF World Championships)
Note: All Athletes are South Africans unless otherwise mentioned noted.
MEN -
100m A (-0.9)
1 Hannes Dreyer 10.74
2 Andrew Koch 11.21
3 Hubre Grootboom 11:23
100m B (NWR)
1 Hendre van Heerden 11.15
2 Ethan Alexander 11.15
200m (-0.5)
1 Hannes Dreyer 21.75
2 Nolan Lottering 22.71
3 Avumile Ngetu 22.76
400m
1 Ruaan Grobler 48.25
2 Cornelius de Villers 50.73
1500m
1 Juan van Deventer 3:46.32
2 Molefe Molefe 3:47.37
3 Charles Jantjies 3:48.19
3000m Steeplechase
1 Reuben Ramolefe 8:27.45
2 Emmanuel Mkhabela 8:34:84
3 Sivuyile Dlongwana 9:06.13
5000m
1 Motsamai Motone 13:47.97 PB
2 Boy Soke 13:49.37
3 Tshamano Setone 13:50.16
Triple Jump
1 Jason Sewanyana 15.52 (+1.4)
2 Charles le Roux 14.95 (NWR)
3 Alexander Kingwell 14.23 (NWR)
Discus
1 Johannes van Wyk 57.15
2 Chris Harmse 54.92
3 Wynand Coetzee 53.62
Shot Put
1 Janus Robberts 18.99
2 Rolie Potgieter 17.76
3 Jan (JP) Hoffman 17.57
Hammer
1 Chris Harmse 73.96
2 Clinton Williams 58.89
3 Johan Harmse 57.04
WOMEN
100m (-3.1)
1 Cindy Stewart 12.00
2 Michelle Andrew 12.33
3 Tasquane Hufkei 12.36
200m (NWR)
1 Estie Wittstock 24.30
2 Cindy Stewart 24.41
3 Heide Seyerling 24.54
400m
1 Estie Wittstock 53:43
2 Jolanda Loubser 59.39
3 Natasja Gerber 1:01.89
1500m
1 Lebogana Phalula 4:14.46
2 Rene Kalmer 4:16.39
3 Mapaseka Makhanya 4:18.25
3000m Steeplechase
1 Tebogo Masehla 10:05.51
2 Nolene Conrad 10:34.94
3 Pulani Mosomi 11:07.59
5000m
1 Zintle Xiniwe 15:58.47 PB
2 Irvette van Blerk 16:33.37
3 Ronel Thomas 16:34.84
Long Jump
1 Charlene Henning 5.74 (+0.3)
2 Geraldine Jordan 4.52 (NWR)
High Jump
1 Anika Smit 1.85
2 Monique Allen 1.60
3 Lelani Bosch 1.60
Javelin
1 Justine Robbeson 60.24
2 Sunette Viljoen 49.49
3 Leanka Steyn 47.76
Discus
1 Elizna Naude 62.34
2 Simone du Toit 49.47
3 Henriette Loggenberg 42.85
Shot Put
1 Simone du Toit 16.24
2 Bianca van Rooyan 12.94
3 Ursula Fourie 11.41
