Big names chasing national titles at ASA Road Running Champs

Strong fields will toe the line on Saturday, with national titles up for grabs over various distances at the ASA Road Running Championships to be held in Namakgale, Phalaborwa, in the Limpopo province.

In the half-marathon event, which is incorporated into the F21 Half-Marathon, Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba will turn out as the pre-race favourites in defence of their national titles.

Gelant, who overcame tough conditions to win the SA men's 21.1km title in Gqeberha last year, will be joined in the line-up by Athletics Central North West (ACNW) teammate Thabang Mosiako, also a former national champion.

They are up against a field which also includes in-form athlete Bennet Seloyi, representing Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).

Xaba will target her sixth national half-marathon title for Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) in the women's race, and her strongest challenge is likely to come from CGA athlete Cacisile Sosibo, who has also run under 70 minutes over the 21.1km distance.

In the 5km event, the men's line-up includes Jerry Motsau, a former national 3 000m record holder on the track, who will represent ACNW.

Motsau is facing a field which also features Andries Sesedi, a former SA 10 000m champion, and his CGA teammate Chris Mhlanga.

A strong Western Province Athletics (WPA) team will also be confident of putting up a fight with the likes of Bruce-Lynn Damons and Ashley Smith in their ranks.

Among the women, a tightly contested war is expected to be waged between some of the country's top middle-distance runners.

QThe AGN squad will be led by Karabo More and Simonay Weitsz, but they will have to hold off an expected challenge from Zanthe Taljaard, running in the colours of Athletics Vaal Triangle.

In the men's mile (1.609km), national record holder Ryan Mphahlele will turn out for CGA as the firm favourite for gold.

The AGN team will be looking to dominate the women's race, spearheaded by the likes of Carmie Prinsloo and Carina Swiegers.

"We return our focus to domestic competition, after a successful and victorious trip to the CAA African U18, U20 Championships in Abeokuta, Nigeria where we returned as continental champions.

'We are also happy to spread our championships to other provinces and it will be a welcome change for athletes to run at high altitude. We wish well our hosts, Limpopo Athletics and all other roleplayers including the organisers of F21 race, where we are incorporated, " said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.