Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 154 November 2022 | Page 30

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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