Nel hits top gear at Gallopers race
Averaging just over 04:00min/km, the middle-distance sensation clocked 01:00:34 personal best in the women's 15km to cross the line in third place overall and first in the junior women's race.
Nel finished behind the Benoni Northerns Marathon women's half-marathon winner Zanele Maisa of Waterfall AC, who won in 55:55, and runner-up Gillian Farquaharson of Run Zone, who was 03:32 off the pace after crossing the line in 59:26.
The USA-bound athlete has been in superb form since the beginning of the year. She used the race to prepare for the Indiana Institute of Technology's cross-country season.
'Coach Richard O'Donoghue told me to use the race as a long run training to build a solid base for when I leave for the USA. I am pleased to finish third overall and first in the junior race. I'm thankful for the support from everyone in our group,' she said.
The Harriers' junior runners were in a dominant mood as they strutted their talent in the race.
Kiana Pepler completed the top three in the junior women's race, clocking 01:02:49 for the bronze. She was sixth overall.
Mary-Jane Nel clocked 01:09:51 for fourth place in the junior women's race, while Kaitlyn Mackay was fifth with 01:15:35.
In the junior men's event, Ockert Winter was fourth in 01:02:49 while Liam Hendrikse and Divan Klein were fifth and sixth, respectively, in a 01:10:10 photo finish.
Former East Athletic Club's (EAC) Avuma Phez, now with North West University, won the junior men's race in 48:50. Lesedi AC's Simphiwe Buzwa finished second 08:27 later, and Thapelo Khumalo of Boxer completed the top three in 59:22.
Nkosiyethu Sotyantya beat Kenyan Paul Omuya by three seconds to clinch the men's main race. The African Bank Runners athlete clocked 47:37 for his victory, while the Kenyan, winner of the veteran men's race, crossed the line in 47:40 for second place.
The Boksburg Athletic Club's (BAC) Maphuti Majetja was 20 seconds off after finishing the race in 47:57 to round out the podium.
Also Read: Stoltz podiums at BNAC Marathon
Also Read: Stoltz races to podium after recovering from injury
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