Frans eyes podium in Nelspruit
STAR Eastern Province long-distance runner Melikhaya Frans is targeting a podium finish at the national 10km roadrunning championships in Nelspruit tomorrow.
With four of the five men runners in the EP team from the Ikhamva Athletic Club, coach Michael Mbambani is confident the squad is strong enough to win the team prize.
Frans hit the headlines in March when he set a national 30km record with a time of 1:30:53.
Since then, he has won every local race he has entered and finished 10th in the Sanlam Cape Town marathon.
He was the third South African home. His best time for the 10km is 29:01, which is faster than the winning time of 29:15 by last year’s winner Elroy Gallant.
While Ntombesinthu Mfunzi may struggle to finish in the top three, she has an outstanding chance of winning gold in her age category.
The teams are: Men: Melikhaya Frans (Ikhamva), Amos Nyonogo (Ikhamva), Zolani Mabonga (Ikhamva), Mariano Eesou (Bestmed Madibaz), Adriaan Gerwel (Ikhamva) Grandmaster men: Johannes Herbst (Muirite Striders), Tamsanqua Jusayi (Nedbank) Women: Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (Nedbank) Grandmaster women: Christine Claasen (Achilles), Hanlie van der Westhuizen (Despatch) A NEW champion will be crowned at the second 10km Colchester Development Run tomorrow.
Bestmed Madibaz athlete Mariano Eesou, who won in 29:56 last year, will be competing in the national 10km championships, while Vuyisweka Nkumenge, from Cape Town, will not be defending her title.
There will be no registration this evening.
Late entries will be accepted at the start tomorrow morning.
The 10km starts at 7am and the 5km fun run half an hour later.
The prize-giving will take place at 9am.
For inquiries, contact Michael Mbambani on 079-149-6796.