Latest news with #BenoniHarriers'
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Nel hits top gear at Gallopers race
Benoni Harriers' top runner Bronwyn Nel ran an incredible lifetime best to clinch the junior women's title at the ASF Gallopers 15km race in Leondale on July 6. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Stoltz podiums at BNAC Marathon
Corlize Stoltz claimed a podium place when she finished third in the women's 10km race at the Benoni Northerns Athletic Cub (BNAC) Marathon on April 13. Still recovering from a foot injury that put her out of competition for a year, the Boksburg resident was part of the women's top three that sent the crowd along the finishing straight into a frenzy as they came home in single file to all finish under 41 minutes. 'This year, I plan to build consistency – in training and performance. I am also focusing on recovery and staying injury-free,' said Stoltz. Also Read: De Bruin achieves career high with third place at Johnson Crane Marathon She crossed the line in 40:58, 55 seconds behind winner Simonay Weitsz, who cut the tape in 40:03 and was 43 seconds behind runner-up Benoni Harriers' Bronwyn Nel, who clocked 40:15 for the silver. While the sub-41:00 was outside the three athletes' lifetime bests in the distance, Stoltz and Weitsz are still on the comeback trail following long-term injuries, while Nel has just completed one of her busiest track and field seasons, where she competed in the 800m, 1 500m and 3 000m. Coming into the race, Stoltz planned to start conservatively and then put foot to pedal in the second half. It is a strategy that worked as she still had enough in the tank on the back end of the race to challenge for a top three position. She said planning things out, focusing on her priorities and sticking to what she can control worked out for her on the day. 'I stayed patient early on to conserve energy and then pushed hard on the last stretch. Also, training in the right set-up and trusting my training made a difference,' she said. While victory is always on the back of her mind, it is about progress and not just podiums. Going into her next challenge, the Colgate Race on May 4 at Boksburg Stadium, the Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen alumnus wants to enjoy the experience more and not just focus on the outcome. 'Next time, I will focus more on my mental game, staying calmer under pressure and not letting slight setbacks throw me off. 'I learnt not to go out too hard too early. Pacing is everything, and trusting steady efforts adds up.' Also Read: BNAC's Botha dominates category at CGA league At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
