Four Grahamstown athletes represented Eastern Cape at the South African Cross-Country Championships which took place in George on Saturday.

Four Grahamstown athletes represented Eastern Cape at the South African Cross-Country Championships which took place in George on Saturday.

Jene Banfield finished third in the 40-45 age category, winning the bronze championship medal. Going into the race, Banfield said she was hoping for a top five position as she had been nursing an injury for much of the season.

However, Banfield said she had a great race, starting fast to get away from the crowd and then easing into her pace.

She managed to make up a few positions between kilometre one and two and kept the pace for most of the way.

The last 200m saw Banfield sprint for the finish to make up some ground on the other athletes.

Banfield finished the 4km in 15 minutes 41 seconds, her second fastest time over the 4km distance.

Banfield said she “jumped up and down” when she realised she had finished third.

Other Grahamstown results:
40-45 Men – 8km 24. Malibongwe Mbelu 29:09
Girls 17 – 4km 65. Zusiphe Nkala 17:43
Boys 16 – 6km 69. Simamkele Rooi 22:44

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