Where to now for Caster Semenya in 5 000m bid: 'It isn't out of reach'

Olympian Dominique Scott-Efurd hopes Caster Semenya qualifies in the women's 5 000m following the pair's performances at the ASA Track and Field Championship in Cape Town on Thursday.

Scott-Efurd had no problem overcoming an elite field as she opened up the gap to win gold in 15:28.10.

While all hopes were on Semenya and how she'd tackle the long-distance, it was Scott-Efurd who showed her class by outsmarting the race field.

Semenya, a two-time 800m Olympic champion, didn't finish far behind as she came second in 15:31.50, with Kyla Jacobs taking bronze in 15:37.56.

One could not but feel for Semenya, who will now have to rely on world competition events to secure an elusive World Championship and Commonwealth Games qualification.

Scott-Efurd credited Semenya as an "amazing runner" and expressed hope that she'll achieve the feat.

"I think she's going to need a well set-up race and is going to need someone to press her and it's probably going to need to be an evening race when it's cool," said Scott-Efurd.

"She's going to need to get a couple of things right, but she's an amazing runner and 15.10 isn't out of reach.

"I wish her all the best, it's tough that she's been made to step up in distance and I know it's a big transition, but I wish her all the luck."

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The three-day ASA Championship continues, with Scott-Efurd set to tackle the women's 10 000m on Saturday's final day.

Despite the wind being a factor, Scott-Efurd says running at sea level is perfect for long-distance runners.

Scott-Efurd will be targeting that race as her World Championship and Commonwealth Games entry and will be the favourite in the final.

"Both of them, they