It was a record-breaking day for the South African team, with two national marks falling on day one of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark on Saturday.
Tayla Kavanagh delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 5km race, fighting all the way to the line to take fourth position and missing out on the bronze medal by just one second. Kavanagh crossed the finish line in 14:51, setting a new SA women’s record. Her compatriot, SA champion Zanthe Taljaard, completed the race in 32nd place in 16:11, achieving a personal best.
“I knew it was going to be a fast race today, so my biggest goal was just to go out there and be competitive and see how well I could do,” Kavanagh said. “Obviously being one second off the podium is a bit bittersweet but I’m just so grateful for the progress I’ve made over the last couple of years.
“I’ve had a really strong season and to put this performance out there today and run a national record is so special. I’m so happy with it and so unbelievably grateful to be here, to represent South Africa and to put that performance together today.”
In the men’s 5km race, Maxime Chaumeton also dug deep, finishing 10th in 13:13. Chaumeton completed the course just seven seconds outside his own national record of 13:06 which he set in Lille earlier this year. Further back, national champion Thapelo Ramakhoase took 34th place in 13:43.
“It’s not easy to run against such a great field and the guys who finished behind me are quality, so it does really show that I’m well placed in the world and I’m very much looking forward to continuing this,” Chaumeton said. “I’m in a good space now, my training is going well. It’s not easy to do this after recovering from an injury, so I’m very happy.”
Over the road mile (1.6km) distance, Tshepo Tshite was 10th in the men’s race in 3:55.66, breaking the SA mark. Tshite now holds five national records over the 1 500m, mile and 3 000m distances on the track and the road. His countryman, Dumisani Motloung, ended 35th in 4:04.21, setting a career best.
In the women’s mile, Karabo More finished 15th in 4:33.27, also earning a personal best. Carina Viljoen, the other SA athlete in the race, took 31st position in 4:43.28.
“I’m really proud of myself. I believe I could have done better, but I really appreciate what I’ve achieved,” More said. “I know where to start with the training and how to go. Now I have experience and I’m hoping the next time I come here I will do better than this.”
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