CAPE TOWN - University of Johannesburg athlete Jeromy Andreas raced to a thrilling victory over his former UWC teammate Anthony Timoteus ahead of a record field at the RCS Gugs Reconciliation Day 10km on Saturday, while KPMG athlete Zintle Xiniwe took honours in an equally hotly contested women’s competition.
One of Cape Town’s most talented athletics exports to Gauteng, Andreas began his university vacation Cape sojourn with a speedy victory through the streets of Gugulethu in one of Cape Town’s best-supported road races.
The vibrant local community spilled out on to the streets to support the colourful train of runners in their quest to complete the circuit past some of the centre’s most significant heritage and memorial sites.
K-Way VOB athlete Akhona Makhila set the pace in the early stages, keeping the pace honest past the NY5 Gravesite, but was caught by the pursuing pack, including Andreas, Timoteus, visiting TUT athletes Milton Kekana and Collen Mulandzi and Raydon Balie at the Gugulethu Seven Memorial, 4km into the race.
It became a three-horse race as Andreas, Timoteus and Kekana, with the three in close formation as they turned into the NY49 Stadium near the finish.
Andreas won the sprint, winning in 30:06, one second clear of Timoteus, with Kekana a further 5 seconds back in third.
In her last race of the year, Xiniwe was content to keep contact with Zimbwean Fortunate Chidzivo throughout the race, turning on the afterburners down the home straight to win by 3 seconds in 35:59.
Tashnew Damons and Amahle Dintsi were the respective junior champions, with Mthandazo Qhina and Busisiwe Matiwane the leading masters across the line.