Gelant keeps going, but misses mark
Distance runner Elroy Gelant was disappointed not to break the magical four-minute barrier in the men's mile in Oudtshoorn on Monday night, despite not expecting to even finish the race.
Gelant started as the pacemaker but was buoyed by the crowd at the second Yellow Pages Summer Series meeting and went on to win in 4:01.69.
"I came here to pace, and stuck to my job, but when the announcer and the crowd started cheering for me and encouraging me, I kept going," Gelant said.
"It was heartbreaking to come so close, especially as this is my second mile ever, but I am happy with the win."
Gelant, who competed in the men's 5 000m heats at this year's World Athletics Championships in Daegu, led the field of six athletes through the 800m mark in 1:58, holding a 30-metre lead.
By the time he reached the bell he had stretched the gap to 50m, and while he slowed on the final lap to miss the four-minute mark, he finished more than five seconds clear of runner-up Johan Cronje.
Brent Stevens, who won the 60m sprint at the opening meeting of the series in Port Elizabeth last week, again outclassed two-time World Student Games 200m champion Leigh Julius to win the men's 100m race in 10.59 seconds.
Sonja van der Merwe showed her versatility by winning a sprint double, defeating former national champion Isabelle le Roux to win the women's 200m race in 24.36 and taking the 400m event in 54.54.
"I am going to focus on both events in 2012, so this was a good exercise for me," Van der Merwe said.
"I am really happy with my races today. There is some work to do, but this is a good indication of where I am."
The third meeting of the four-leg series will be held in Stellenbosch on Thursday.