Images : Tobias Ginsberg |
The elite field at this year ’ s Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K will be headed up by two world class international athletes who will undoubtedly be hoping to make it two wins from two in the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series , after speeding to victory in the first race in Gqeberha in April . However , a strong contingent of more internationals and local stars will be looking to take line honours in the Mother City . Men ’ s Top Contenders
In his first official race outside of his native Kenya , Vincent Langat took the win in Gqeberha in a new personal best of 28:01 , but he has subsequently gone much faster . In late April , he took fifth place at the Adizero Road to Records in Germany in a lightening quick 27:11 . This makes him the clear favourite in Cape Town , and he says he is looking forward to the
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challenge . “ I want to win another race in South Africa ! And try to better my PB again . It was very nice to cross the finish line as the first finisher in Gqeberha ,” says the Kenyan .
The local athletes looking to prevent Langat from doing the double in the series include three runners who have dipped under 28 minutes before – Precious Mashele ( PB 27:35 – SA Record ), Kabelo Mulaudzi ( 27:56 ) and Stephen Mokoka ( 27:38 ) – as well as Elroy Gelant , who clocked 28:04 last year in Durban and finished second in Gqeberha in April . Another top contender could be Lesotho ’ s Namakoe Nhkasi , who set a national record of 27:52 in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN10K in 2022 .
A few other names to watch for could include Kenya ’ s Maxon Kipngetich , who was seventh in Gqeberha , and George Kusche , a four-minute miler who is quickly making a name for himself on the roads in SA , having returned to action after a break from running following a highly successful stint of studying and competing in the USA . Meanwhile Melikhaya Frans , Desmond Mokgobu and Mathews Leeto may be focusing on the marathon these days , but are still competitive 28-minute runners .
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Women ’ s Top Contenders
In April , Diana Chepkorir posted a dominant victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K , leading from gun to tape and crossing the line in a quick 31:15 , in spite of cold , blustery conditions . Now the diminutive Kenyan with a scintillating personal best of 29:56 – making her one of just 17 women in the world to dip under 30 minutes – will line up as favourite in the women ’ s race in Cape Town , and she says she is looking forward to hopefully going even faster . “ I was happy with the time in Gqeberha , because it was not possible to run 30 minutes or faster because of the weather , but now I hope to go faster in Cape Town . I enjoyed my first race in South Africa , and that is why I am coming again .”
Amongst the other favourites for podium positions are Blandina Makatisi of Lesotho , who posted a new national record of 32:05 in Gqeberha , and her countrywoman Neheng Khatala , whose previous national mark of 32:06 she eclipsed . The SA flag should be flown high as ever by the likes of Cacisile Sosibo , Kyla Jacobs and the evergreen Phalula Twins , Lebo and Lebogang , but it will be interesting to see how Irvette van Zyl goes after her recent marathon and ultra-marathon exploits .
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Diana Chepkorir is looking to make it two wins in to race in SA |
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Precious Mashele and Elroy Gelant racing Vincent Langat in Gqeberha |
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