South Africa ’ s 10km Record Holder , Precious Mashele , says he has a score to settle with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series , and thus people can expect fireworks in the men ’ s race in Tshwane . This is because things did not quite go to plan for him in the last race in the Series in Durban . Precious Mashele
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Having set a new national mark of 27:35 in the inaugural RUN YOUR CITY race in Gqeberha in April , and then posted a second consecutive second-place in the series in the Cape Town race in May , he lined up at the Durban race in July intent on pushing for another fast time and hopefully going one step higher on the podium . Mashele thus took it upon himself to do all the front-running in the first half of the Durban , fighting the headwind all the way , just to see three other South Africans run Sub-28 times , as the hard work of setting the early pace saw him have to settle for sixth place .
“ Durban is always fast , so I felt I needed to push the pace ,” says Mashele . “ Three of my brothers ran Sub-28 , so I am happy to have been able to help them run that fast , but now I am motivated to make up for that in the new Tshwane race . It is the first running of the event , so I want to be the first winner .”
Of course , the first three races were on flat courses at sea level , all designed for fast times , whereas the Tshwane course is at altitude , and it is hillier and more challenging , but that doesn ’ t faze SA ’ s fastest ever man over 10km . “ I like tough courses . I run well on them ,” he says , and proof of that claim is that Mashele has won the South African Cross Country Trials on five occasions , and has twice been the SA Cross Country Champion . He has also posted the third-best ever South African performance at a World Cross Country Championships , with his 16th place in Bathurst , Australia earlier this year .
With a prize purse of R30,000 for the winner , the elite race will no doubt once again be fierce , but for Mashele it is not just about the win and the prize money . He
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says he enjoys the feeling of rubbing shoulders with those who are out for a day of fun and enjoyment . “ I always like running at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races . After my race , I get to spend time with those who do not race the way we do , and I love hearing their experiences . It also helps to motivate me .”
Seboko Looking to Win Again
Mashele may be the SA Record-holder , but he can expect tough competition in Tshwane , with a strong men ’ s field also including Kabelo Seboko , who became the latest addition to the illustrious SA sub-28-minute club when he claimed the win at the Absa RUN YOUR
Kabelo Seboko
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Images : Action Photo , Gavin Ryan , Anthony Grote , Rae Trew-Browne , Felix Dlanga |
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14 Run Your City Series |