ROAD RUNNING
Hitting the Joburg Highways
The 2022 edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on 24 September did not just see the return of the event after a temporary hiatus forced by the COVID pandemic , but also saw the new route take runners on a unique Heritage Day tour of the city centre . – BY JACKY McCLEAN WITH SEAN FALCONER
The three races in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY ( RYC ) Series are known for their incredible atmosphere and fun vibe , with multiple activations along the route featuring musicians , DJs , dancers , cheerleaders , commentators and more . This year the Cape Town race also featured a first for the Mother City , as runners were allowed to use a portion of the N1 highway for the first time ever . And on 24 September , the Joburg race followed suit , as runners were allowed on to the M1 and M2 highways for the first time .
This saw the runners start at Mary Fitzgerald Square and circle around to get up onto the elevated freeway above the start venue , providing them with incredible views of the city and setting the scene for a wonderful day ’ s running . After four kilometres , the runners then headed into Joburg Central , with vibe point after vibe point to keep the party going as they made their way back to Mary Fitzgerald Square and the post-race festivities and entertainment .
Tables Turned in Men ’ s Race
While many of the runners were just out to enjoy the day , the elites at the front end of the field were chasing the lucrative prize purse on offer . That saw Nicholas Seoposengwe turn the tables on Andries Sesidi as the 21-year-old Boxer athlete trumped a stellar field to claim line honours . Six weeks earlier , Sesedi had clinched the SA 10km title in Tshwane , just ahead of Seoposengwe , but this time it was Seoposengwe who took the race by the scruff of the neck as soon as the gun went off .
For many , the day was just about enjoying the vibe on the route
The 5km marker was passed in 14:46 , with Seoposengwe driving the pace . Around 40m back was Sesedi , with Mathews Leeto on his shoulder . Some 30 seconds off the leaders was a big bunch , including the likes of Melikhaya Frans , Philani Buthelezi , Simon Sibeko , David Manja and Elroy Gelant , but pre-race favourite , Precious Mashele , was battling with a bout of flu and had fallen off the pace early on . Seoposengwe maintained control for the rest of the race and was able to relax as he entered the finish straight in Rahima Moosa Street , acknowledging the crowd in the final 50m before punching the air as he crossed the line in 29:42 . Sesedi came through in 29:47 , with Kabelo Seboko rounding out the top three in 29:55 .
Seoposengwe , who is part of the Zoo Lake training group coached by retired SA great Hendrick Ramaala , said after the race , “ I was very confident today . I knew I was in great shape , especially after finishing second at the SA Championships to Andries . I had time to tweak a few things and was in total control of the race today .”
Immaculate Win for Kenyan
In the women ’ s race , Emmaculate Achol was totally dominant . The 22-year-old Kenyan took 21seconds off her PB to win in 33:50 , crossing the line in 28th position overall , with South Africa ’ s Glenrose Xaba second in 34:03 . “ This was my first visit to South Africa ,” said Achol . “ I was very happy with my run today and hope to come back to South Africa again soon .”
A sea of some 10,000 red race shirts flooding the elevated M1 / M2 highways of Joburg !
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