Simon Sibeko and Ntombesintu Mfunzi were the big winners at the 2024 EP Cross-Country Championship at St Albans Correctional Services on Saturday.
Sibeko and Mfunzi were the first athletes to cross the finish line in the men’s and women’s 10km events of the championships which form part of the NMB Legacy Project.
In a highly contested finish in the men’s race, Ikhamva Athletics Club’s Sibeko came home in 31 minutes and 39 seconds, beating fellow teammate Melikhaya Frans (31.44) by five seconds. Andile Motwani was edged into third place in 31.45.
Sibeko, 29, originally from Gauteng before joining Ikhamva in 2023, said though he enjoyed the race, it was tough competing against Frans.
“The race was lovely. I enjoy 10km races, especially cross-country races,” Sibeko said.
“The weather was good as well; it was just the perfect weather for running.
“The course was tough but I enjoyed it, but with the competition in the male race, it was tough running against Frans.
“It’s very challenging to compete with him because he is a top runner.”
Sibeko ran a personal best of 1:02:20 to triumph at the Madibaz half marathon recently.
In the women’s race, Nedbank runner Mfunzi emerged victorious in 42.16.
Kaitlyn Wolff was second with 42.27 followed by Leigh Callaghan in 43.34.
“I enjoyed today’s race because the St Albans course is one of the nicest cross-country courses in Gqeberha,” Mfunzi said.
“It’s similar to the course we run during world championships — it’s flat and then you get those artificial hills.
“We were just focusing on the pace and were not too worried about facing the wind.
“I am [happy] with the win because, for the first time, I feel like my old self.
“I am healthy and I am looking forward to the next cross-country season, because I did not run for the whole of July.
“I only did the 21km without any running because I had just graduated to become a traditional healer.
“So now that all that has passed, I can properly focus on my training again,” Mfunzi said.
She said her next event would be the Gelvandale 10km race.
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