Modern Athlete Magazine 172 September 2024 | Page 27

Start of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
ROAD RUNNING

While most South Africa road running records are posted at sea-level or low-lying venues , we also speak of leading inland performances , which usually implies at altitude . For example , Johannesburg lies at just over 1700m above sea level , while Tshwane sits at just under 1300m . That makes quite a difference to long distance runners , with less oxygen reaching the muscles and making for slower times . That is why Glenrose Xaba ’ s performance at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 25 August was so noteworthy .

The South African 10km Record-holder blitzed the undulating , circular course in 31:51 , the fastest inland ( altitude ) time ever in South Africa and the eighth-quickest ever by a South African on home
Kamohelo Mofolo takes the men ’ s title
soil . It was thus not only a new course record in the second edition of this race , taking 23 seconds off the time set by Ethiopian Debash Desta last year , but also gave Xaba a third sub-32 for the year , after her record-breaking 31:12 in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July and her 31:55 at the SPAR Women ’ s Race in Durban in June . “ I ’ m very happy about today ’ s win . I have faced so many ups and downs throughout my career , but I have managed to rise above it all . This year , God has blessed me so much and I ’ m very thankful for that ,” says Xaba .
The 29-year-old lived up to her pre-race favourite tag as she surged away from Lesotho ’ s Neheng Khatala at the 7km mark to record a memorable victory . Another Lesotho athlete , Blandina Makatisi , came through to take second in 32:58 , just two weeks after completing
Glenrose Xaba takes the win with the fastest inland 10km ever in SA the Olympic Marathon , while her countrywoman Khathala held on for the last podium position in 33:35 .
Xaba has had a tremendous 2024 so far , winning four SA titles , in the half marathon and 10,000m ( both for the fifth time in a row ), as well as the 5000m and 10km , to go with that national record and other race wins . She says this latest victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication she has put into her training . “ To win one of the Absa races is a dream
Tshwane Results
These are the top 10 men ’ s and women ’ s results from the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 25 August 2024 .
TOP 10 MEN 1 Kamohelo Mofolo ( Maxed Elite / Lesotho ) 28:40 2 Gideon Kipgnetich ( Kenya ) 28:42 3 Kabelo Mulaudzi ( Boxer ) 28:52 4 Elroy Gelant ( Boxer ) 29:02 5 Chris Mhlanga ( Boxer ) 29:18 6 Nicholas Seoposengwe ( Boxer ) 29:29
Driving Off in Style
One of the highlights of each Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event is the pre-race draw for the winner of a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT vehicle valued from R279,000 . Five finalists are randomly drawn from the thousands of entrants , and invited to attend the live draw shortly before the race start . For thi second edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K , the lucky runner whose name was drawn was Bubbles Sandi Maqoqa , and her reaction said it all about how happy she was to drive this fantastic prize home .
And the winner is … Bubbles Sandi Maqoqa !
7
Lucky Mohale ( Boxer )
29:39
8
Onalenna Khonkhobe ( Nedbank )
29:42
9
Niel Van der Merwe ( Boxer )
29:43
10
1Puseletso Mofokeng ( PTC )
29:46
TOP 10 WOMEN
1
Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer )
31:51
2
Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed Elite / Lesotho )
32:58
Images : Tobias Ginsberg , Felix Dlanga
All smiles with her new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT
3
Neheng Khatala ( Hollywood / Lesotho )
33:35
4
Karabo Mailula ( Tuks )
33:37
5
Fridah Ndinda ( Kenya )
33:46
6
Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer )
34:47
7
Karabo More ( Masai )
35:12
8
Malineo Mahloko ( Lesotho )
35:33
9
Millicent Nyaberi ( Kenya )
35:37
10
1Lebo Phalula ( Boxer )
36:00
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