With no World Championships or Olympic Games this year, the national senior athletics championships will be a little more watered down than usual, but some thrilling races are still on the cards when the action gets underway at Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch on Thursday.
In the blue riband mens 100m sprint, SA record holder Akani Simbine will not line up for the second year in a row.
Last season, the three-time Olympic finalist was tied up on the international circuit, and this year he is making a late start to his campaign in order to focus on the Diamond League series, taking his foot off the pedal a bit as he gears up for big seasons in 2027 and 2028.
