Johannesburg – Beating off a challenge by the defending champion, Elroy Gelant won the SA 10km Championships in Sasolburg yesterday to deny Stephen Mokoka his fifth title in eight years.
Gelant posted an unofficial winning time of 29:14 with Mokoka finishing in second place after a sprint finish.
Athletics SA plan to release the official results and times during the week following “technical glitches” yesterday.
In the women’s race, Lebo Phalula reclaimed the title she won in 2013 with a time of 34:09, with twin sister Lebogang Phalula claiming silver ahead of Nolene Conrad.
Gelant, showing similar form to 2012 when he won the national title, went out fast over the first three kilometres before settling in with the leading pack.
Gelant and Mokoka broke away with two kilometres remaining for a two-horse race before the former surged over the last 150m to take claim the title.
“I’m happy with the result although the time was not that fast, but it was a quality field with guys like Stephen Mokoka, Gladwin Mzazi, and Lucky Mohale,” Gelant said.
“Just to get the victory is big for me, and I will use it as motivation for the rest of the season.”
With yesterday’s run, Gelant banished his injury woes from 2015 and kick-started his campaign to qualify for the Rio Olympics in August.
A hamstring injury after the Two Oceans Marathon derailed his 2015 season but he seems set to return to his best this year.
Boasting with a personal best time of 13:15.87, Gelant will be looking to qualify for the Olympics in the 5000m and he hopes to dip below the required 13:25.00 standard before the SA Senior Championships in Stellenbosch in April.
“I recently won the Dis-Chem Half Marathon in Bedfordview and now the 10km title, so these are all small things that add up to something greater, and my goal is to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games,” Gelant said.
“I will use it as a confidence boost towards reaching my goal, so I am using the 10km races to make me stronger for what is to come.”
Mokoka used the race as preparation for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff next month.
“Other wins will come with time, but my focus now is to the IAAF Half Marathon if selected and to qualify for the Olympics,” Mokoka said.
“But I still have a lot of work to do on my mileage, otherwise on speed I think I’m okay,” said Mokoka, who ran for Athletics Gauteng North.”
Meanwhile, Lebo Phalula revealed she was aiming at Olympic qualification in both the 10000m and the marathon while her sister has her sights set on the 1500m.
– WEEKEND ARGUS