Bennet Seloyi and Karabo Mailula emerged triumphant on Friday, winning the men's and women's 10km races at the ASA Cross Country Trials, which was incorporated into the USSA Cross Country Championships at Tshwane University of Technology.

With spots on the line for the national team to compete at the World Cross Country Championships in the United States in January, Seloyi kicked hard on the final lap to shake off a strong field in the men's race. He completed the five-lap contest in 30:09, finishing nine seconds clear of national marathon record holder Elroy Gelant, who took second place in 30:18. Sanele Masondo was third in 30:24.

Meanwhile, Mailula won the women's 10km battle in 36:16 after delivering a dominant performance. Cacisile Sosibo hung on to Mailula's shoulder for most of the race, but she slipped off the pace on the final lap and settled for the runner-up position in 36:32. Kyla Jacobs ended third in 37:08.

Over the 2km distance, with athletes competing for selection for the mixed relay race at the World Championships, Luan Munnik and Karabo More triumphed in the men's and women's events. Munnik tore around the course in 5:31 to take the men's race, with Christopher Swart finishing second in 5:35 and Abednico Choba grabbing third spot in 5:38.

More was equally impressive in the women's event, winning in 6:20. Carina Viljoen was second in 6:26, and Carmie Prinsloo took third place a further eight seconds back in 6:34.

The ASA junior trials will be held in Whiteriver on Saturday, incorporated in the SA Schools Cross Country Championships.