Athletes flock to cross country league opener

The Ndlambe Cross Country Development and Schools League kicked off the 2025 programme on Saturday May 10 co-hosted by Upper Ego Athletics Club at Kenton Primary School. The event under the auspices of Eastern Province Athletics attracted 250 athletes from five clubs and 22 schools. Athletes came from as far as Somerset East (Gill College), Gqeberha (Sunridge Primary, Framesby High School and CRO Training) and Kariega (Handhaaf Primary).  

The development league caters for athletes aged 7 up to 75 who can enter through their school or club, or as individuals. In an interview with Talk of the Town at the 2024 prizegiving ceremony, co-founder Sticks Stiglingh said the league, which started in 2022, was intended to introduce running as an outdoor activity, to encourage a healthy lifestyle in the community and in the long run to produce champion athletes. 

The league also makes it easier for athletes in the Ndlambe area to compete regularly. Gqeberha and East London have well established leagues and regular events; however, the cost and logistics of travelling to those town precludes many from participating. 

How points are accumulated 

Athletes- 1st place equals 20 points, 2nd place 19 points, 3rd place 18 points and so forth.. Until 1 point follows after 

School: per athlete accumulated points belonging to a school/club. equals an overall sum of points earned by the school/club. 

Stiglingh is currently president of EP Athletics and the programme is run under the auspices of the provincial body. In 2024, no fewer than 13 athletes who participated in the league qualified for the provincial championships. 

Kowie Striders athlete Thandolwethu Matsalo progressed through the league to the EP Championships and was selected to represent the province at the SA Championships. 

TOTT reported that the initiative had experienced a 65% increase in participation since its launch in 2022, and a 30% increase from 2023 to 2024. 

To be in the running for the league trophy, athletes must participate in every league race. Kowie Striders were the 2024 club winners with Volo Vikings and Upper Ego Athletics Club runners up. 

The next meet is on June 21 at Alexandria Christian Academy and will be co-hosted by the Volo Vikings Running Club. For more information about the league, contact project coordinator Vuyo Nkayi at 074 478 6392. 

* Background reporting by Mark Carrels 

Results highlights from the Ndlambe Cross Country Development and Schools League: Saturday May 10, cohosted with Upper Ego Athletics Club at Kenton Primary School 

1km boys – 8 years and younger 

1 Nicholas Cox, Kowie Foundation School (KFS) 4:17:43 

2 Siyavuya Nyaya, Upper Ego Athletics Club (UEAC) 

3 Hayden Emslie, KFS 

1km girls – 8 years and younger 

1 Gabrielle Schweyer, Nedbank/ KFS 4:32:64 

2 Likuwe Damoyi Kenton primary 

3 Isidora Panter Kings 

4km – Seniors men 

1 Lithetha Gcume Port Alfred High School (PAHS)/Chillie Runners 12:27:28 20 

2 Butshabethu Kayi Volo Vikings (VV)  

3 Ayabonga Saul Kowie Striders (KS) 

4km – Senior ladies 

1 Liesel Van Zyl Nedbank Club 17:52:36 20 

2 Tama Cranswick KS 

3 Phumla Ngangqu VV 

6km – Veteran men 

1 Pierre Schweyer Nedbank/KS 26:02:87 20 

2 Mike Nunan KS  

3 [First name not recorded] Fana, Individual 

8km – Men 35-39 

1 Sizakele Dayimani Bathurst Athletics Club (BAC) 31:49:49 20 

2 Vuyisani Nobi VV 

3 Dylan Cox KS 

2km Junior Boys 

1 Rufus Rowett KFS 07:59:41 

2 Buhlebethu Sinqe VV 

3 Lelethu Kayi VV 

2km Junior girls 

1 Anke-mari Roets Sunridge 07:30:59 

2 Ava Els Sunridge  

3 Madison Mackenzie Kenton Primary School (KPS) 

3km Junior boys 

1 Ngcali Ngwekazi KFS 10:10:38 

2 Trustworth Sibanda KINGS SCHOOL  

3 Emihle Faba UEAC 

3km Junior girls 

1 Kylie Dorfling HANDHAAF (HH) 10:26:06 

2 Anli Roets SUNRIDGE  

3 Sinelitha Ntamo KPS 

4km Junior boys 

1 Connor Bird FRAMESBY 13:32:78 

2 Mandilive Ngqolowa KUYASA 

3 Nthando Olethu VV 

4km Junior girls 

1 Chanay Harding DF MAlherbe 18:03:82 

2 Liezel Fisher Port Alfred Junior Secondary School (PAJSS)  

3 Esona Goliath PAJSS 

4km Senior boys 

1 Unathi Stamper KUYASA 12:04:46 

2 Sonwabile Soul Alexandria Christian Academy (ACA)  

3 Kamvalethu Mona NOMZAMO 

4km Senior girls 

1 Entle Komani KUYASA 13:05:29 

2 Jaydene Tee FRAMESBY   

3 Mnike van der Merwe FRAMESBY 

7km Boys 

1 Siyamthanda Kalashe VV 19:16:22 

2 Guerra Ntuli FRAMESBY  

3 Tristan Lange KS 

7km Girls 

1 Carla Clotz CRO Training Group 24:30:35 

2 Akhanya Ngesi NOMZAMO/KS  

3 [First name unckear] Hooper ACA 

8km Boys 

1 Thandolwethu Matsalo NOMZAMO/KS 25:17:13 

2 Dallian Oerson FRAMESBY  

3 Lubabalo Mbambisa NOMZAMO

• This article was first published in Talk of the Town, May 15, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.

 

 

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