News21 Oct 2006


Soke, Johannes claim South African 10Km titles

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Boy Soke winning South African 10Km title in Stellenbosch (© Mark Ouma)

Boy Soke of South Africa and Helaria Johannes of Namibia used contrasting running styles to win their respective races at the Nedbank South Africa 10km Championships in Stellenbosch on Saturday (21).

Men's Race -

Athletes set on at a swift pace. George Mofokeng, Tshamano Setome, Neo Molema, Soke and Lukertz Swartbooi (Namibia), and Zimbabwe’s Cuthbert Nyasango lead a huge group that covered the first kilometre in 2:38.

Then Ngamole took charge opening a 30m gap with the lead chase group. He maintained this lead until seven kilometres. His brave effort took him through 3km in 8:34, 5km 14:07 and 7km in 19:56.

The dramatic change came in the eighth kilometre when Ngamole began to fizzle, and was swallowed by the lead group. It was at this stage that Soke surged to the lead, a moved that thinned out the lead group as only Setone and Kanie Simons responded.

Soke went on to win in a career best of 28:39. Tshamano Setone (28:45), Enos Matalane (28:48), Kanie Simons (28:56), and Lukertz Swartbooi (28:56) followed in that order.

“It was important for me to prove that winning the 12 km at the South Africa Senior Cross country Championships last month was no fluke. I came to this race as one of the underdogs. This is why I ran a conservatively for the first half of the race,” said Soke.

“My goal next year is to maintain and improve for at the World cross country Championships in (Mombasa) Kenya. My other target is run a sub 13:20. Perhaps I can improve the South Africa record (13:16) at the All-Africa Games in (Algiers) next year,” Soke revealed.

Women's Race -

Meanwhile, in the women’s race Namibia Helaria Johannes set a blistering pace right from the start. Only South Africa Louisa Leballo could keep pace with her until three kilometres. A brief surge in speed by Johannes saw her shake off Leballo.

Johannes won the race in a personal best of 32:28. This improved on her previous mark of 33:42. Leballo (33:11), Sharon Tavengwa (Zimbabwe) 33.24, South Africans Ronel Thomas (33:25) and Poppy Mlambo (33.55) followed.

“After nearly falling at the start I decided to go ahead and run my own race. The road was very narrow at the start for so many runners. Once through three kilometres I decided to run my own race using the male runners to push me on," Johannes said.

“It is encouraging that this fast pace paid off with a personal best. This is a brilliant way to end the year. I want to make an impact at the World Cross country Chammpionships in (Mombasa) Kenya next year. Whenever we see (Lukertz) Swartbooi training back at home in Windhoek, we are encouraged. He is the first Namibian to make an impact at the international level,” she added. Swartbooi, who was fifth at this race, was a silver medallist at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart Germany.

Mark Ouma for the IAAF

SELECT RESULTS -

MEN -
 1. Boy Soke (South Africa) 28:39
 2. Tshamano Setone (South Africa) 28:45
 3. Enos Matalane (South Africa) 28:48
 4. Kanie Simons (South Africa) 28:56
 5. Lukertz Swartbooi (Namibia) 28:56
 6. Theko Mpolokeng (South Africa) 28:59
 7. Motsamai Motone (South Africa) 29:00
 8. Steven Mokoka (South Africa) 29:02
 9. Coolboy Ngamole (South Africa) 29:10
10. Nkosinnoxolo Sonqibido (South Africa) 29:11

WOMEN -
 1. Helaria Johannes (Namibia) 32:28 PB
 2. Louisa Leballo (South Africa) 33:11
 3. Sharon Tavengwa (Zimbabwe) 33.24
 4. Ronel Thomas (South Africa) 33:25
 5. Poppy Mlambo (South Africa) 33.55
 6. Rene Kalmer (South Africa) 33.56
 7. Tebogo Mashela (South Africa) 34:45
 8. Gloria Baeba (South Africa) 34:46
 9. Zintle Xiniwe (South Africa) 34:51
10. Tabitha Tsatsa (Zimbabwe) 34.58

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