"This route showed a standard as high as that of any course I have run in Europe, in fact, I would go so far as to say it is one of the best I have run."
The event, which drew 3 250 athletes and at least 3 000 spectators to George, was a resounding success with excellent weather conditions and a keen competitive spirit giving the enthusiastic spectators who filled the stands good reason to cheer the achievements of the athletes.
The senior men's 12km, the event of the day, gave the George crowd the opportunity to cheer on Elroy Galant (ACNW), formerly of George and an old pupil of Olympia High School who earned the silver. Stephan Mokoka (AGN) won gold with a time of 35:55:8 and Gladwin Mzazi (AGN) was awarded the bronze.
Executive Mayor Charles Standers welcomed the provincial management teams to George on Friday night at a mayoral function and invited the athletes and spectators to enjoy the hospitality, friendliness and beauty of the city of George.
Portfolio Councillor for Environment and Sport Erasmus De Villiers said that the city of George and council are honoured and privileged to be able to co-host the prestigious national cross county championships with athletes representing 17 provinces. "You can sense the enthusiasm and energy of the participants and spectators today. It shows that George can deliver on its logo of being the city for all reasons. Everybody here today will leave being in no doubt that George is the preferred venue for sport championships of this calibre."
Sports Development Official for George Municipality Kidron Kaboni said that George Municipality strategically partners with sporting associations such as Athletics South Africa and Athletics South Western District in order to further the goal of developing George as the mecca for sport in the Southern Cape and to boost the economy and tourism of the city of George.
"Our successful hosting of the cross country event on Saturday will hopefully provide the impetus to bring this event back to George for another three years and we will now ensure that negotiations take place to secure such a positive decision."
The event of the day was the Senior Men's 8km. Enjoying the winning moment are, from left: James Moloi (acting president of Athletics South Africa), Kidron Kaboni (George Municipal sports development official), Moses Gericke (president of Athletics South West Districts), Elroy Galant (ACNW), Stephan Mokoka (AGN), Gladwin Mzazi (AGN), Erasmus de Villiers (portfolio councillor for Environmental Services and Sport) and Nazeem Mathews (M&M Marketing).
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