JOHANNESBURG – A 10-member national team on Thursday was announced by Athletics SA for the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain on March 24.
Multiple SA record holder Stephen Mokoka, who has twice previously taken eighth place at this international 21.1km spectacle, will join a powerful five-member squad in the men's race as they tackle some of the world's best road runners.
He will join versatile athlete Elroy Gelant, national Cross Country champion Precious Mashele, Mbongeni Ngxazozo and Melikhaya Frans, with individual and team prizes on the line.
Cornelia Joubert, the national Half-Marathon champion, will spearhead a strong five-women team alongside former track stars Mapaseka Makhanya, Nolene Conrad and Lebogang Phalula, as well as Jenet Dlamini.
“We have assembled a very strong team on paper after a very long time and we are confident that the selectors did the best they could when coming up with the final team,” said Aleck Skhosana, the president of Athletics South Africa.
“We believe that this team will live up to expectations by achieving the desired results at the IAAF World 21,1km Championships in Spain. We wish all the team members all the best and we encourage the coaches and athletes put more final touches leading to the championships.
“Road runners must prove that South Africa can do well and be counted amongst the best in the world in this distance plus in the 10km and standard marathon. We call upon them to prove that their selection was well deserved.”