SA send strong team for World Cross Country Champs

A 28-member national team left on Wednesday afternoon for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, United States.

The Athletics South Africa (ASA) cross country team are confident of putting up a fight on Saturday when they take on some of the world's best distance runners.

They will compete in the senior men's and women's 10km races, as well as the U20 men's 8km contest, the U20 women's 6km event and the senior 4x2km mixed relay.

"It's a strong team, especially among the seniors. We've got our anchor, Adriaan Wildschutt, and we have athletes who know how to race (and are based) in the United States," said team coach Violet Semenya.

"We've also got a strong mixed relay team and I can't wait to see their results. If they trust themselves and we trust them, I think the team will do well."

XABA TO DIG DEEP

Multiple SA record holder Glenrose Xaba also expressed confidence in leading the national squad in the senior women's 10km race.

Xaba is the most experienced member of the team, competing in her fifth successive edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.

Though she admits she might be out of her depth against powerful teams from around the world, and will have to dig deep to be competitive, Xaba is fit and ready to give it a shot.

"I will try my best to go with them, but I just want to finish very strong and enjoy the race. I just hope I will be healthy (on the day) as I want to perform well," Xaba said.

"As South Africans we are starting to perform very well at international level. It shows that we are improving a lot, and I am confident that I can do very well."

RELAY TEAM TARGETS TOP FIVE

In the mixed 4x2km relay, Luan Munnik, Christopher Swart, Karabo More and Carina Viljoen will be hoping to challenge for a place on the podium.

Targeting a top-five finish at the international spectacle, Munnik feels the SA team can bring home a medal if they are at their best.

"I definitely think it's possible. Especially looking at Chris (Swart) and I, our 1 500m times are very close to the best of the men up there," said Munnik, who won the SA 1 500m title on the track earlier this year.

"I think if we really play our part, the girls (More and Viljoen) will be able to push through, and I think a top-five finish is realistic. And when you're top five the medal is just there, so why not go for it."

Though he was not at the team send-off on Wednesday, as he is based in the United States, Wildschutt will lead the national senior men's 10km squad after finishing 10th in the 10 000m races at the 2024 Olympic Games and the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Kabelo Mulaudzi, who is injured, is the only member of the ASA squad announced late last year who will not compete at the World Championships.

Mulaudzi has been replaced in the national men's 10km team by US-based athlete, Jayde Rosslee.

The ASA Acting President John Mathane, who is the head of delegation said: "Every athlete in the team has worked hard to qualify for this squad and has put in a tremendous amount of effort to prepare in the build-up to this event. We wish all of them well as they prepare to take on the world's best, and we know they will carry the national flag with pride."