ROAD RUNNING
Upcoming Absa Action
Get ‘ red-dy ’ to paint the town red at an upcoming Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race .
• Sunday 9 July : Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
• Saturday 27 August : Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
• Saturday 24 September : Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Images : Chris Hitchcock , Jaco Wolmarans , Mark Sampson & courtesy Nicole Hayes
Enjoying the vibe and ‘ gees ’ of the Mother City
CAPE TOWN 10K is precisely what lured me to road races in the first place . I ’ m still more of a trail runner at heart , but the terrific vibe of this race has definitely led me to add more road races to my running calendar .
On this specific route , you ’ re pulled along by the incredible vibe not only of the various sponsors ’ activation zones , but also courtesy of a number of local performing artists and groups , and I made a point of slowing down or even stopping to enjoy the ‘ gees ’ of the Marimba Cape Whalers Outreach Group , Afrobeat Drumming , the Macassar Colour Guard & Youth Drumming Ensemble Troupe , the Field Band Foundation Brass Band , Lindelani Performing Arts , and the Western Cape Street Bands , with their evercolourful Kaapse Klopse outfits and upbeat carnival music . All of this and more in just 10km of running … no wonder the mishaps of the morning fast became a distant memory .
A Surprising Finish
Considering all of the things that did not go as planned for me on the morning of the race , in addition to my ongoing spiking heart rate issues since contracting COVID-19 for the second time in mid-2022 , the last thing I expected was to run a ‘ post- COVID health issues ’ PB . Since experiencing these heart rate issues , I haven ’ t been able to complete a 10km in under 90 minutes . However , having removed all pressure and expectations , and going out to just enjoy the festival race atmosphere while listening to my body , I was able to finish in less than 80 minutes . That may be super slow in some runners ’ books , but for me and my post-COVID heart , it was a big personal win !
Life ’ s unexpected twists and turns can be challenging , but they also provide valuable opportunities for growth and self-discovery . By embracing the unexpected , seeking the positive and cultivating resilience , we can navigate these moments with grace and make the best of any situation . Remember that it ’ s in these unplanned detours that some of life ’ s most beautiful surprises are revealed . So , when life ( or a race ) throws you a curveball ( or a queue ), take a deep breath , adjust your perspective , and embrace the journey ( and run ) with an open heart and mind .
Coming in to the finish in Lower Long Street
For more information , visit : https :// runyourcityseries . com
The Elite Race
Kenyans Triumph in Mother City
Victor Kipruto and Veronica Loleo took line honours in the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday 14 May , but it was a hard-fought win for both Kenyans .
For the first time since the race ’ s inception in 2015 , the weather in Cape Town was not ideal , and the windy and blustery conditions saw the race become a tactical war of attrition until the field hit the bottom end of the City . A leading group of 20 men passed halfway 14:43 , But around the 7km mark , with the group whittled down to 10 , Kipruto surged as the runners turned into lower Adderley Street , and took South Africans Precious Mashele and Thabang Mosiako with him .
Mosiako briefly took the lead around the 8km mark , but the Kenyan came back at him , and the trio were all together again as they hit the last kay descending to the bottom of Lower Long Street . Kipruto then made a winning surge , and crossed the line in 28:28 , having run the second half in 13:45 . SA Record-holder Mashele finished second in 28:36 , with Mosiako two seconds behind . “ My plan was to win the race . I came here to win ,” said Kipruto after the race . “ We were a big bunch in the beginning because of the wind , and it is easier to run in a bunch when the wind blows , but once we had some shelter , I knew it was time to go .”
Loleo who came into the women ’ s race with a 30:53 PB and was considered one of the pre-race favourites , along with Uganda ’ s Prisca Chesang ( 30:19 ). The Kenyan won in 31:38 , having stuck like glue to the official pacesetter , Gladwin Mzazi , who led her through virtually even splits of 15:52
The leading men and women soon after the start , heading towards the city and 15:44 . “ I stuck to the pacesetter , as he was doing exactly what we asked him to do ,” said Loleo . “ I ’ m really happy with my run in the wind .” Behind her , Lesotho 10km Record-holder , Neheng Khatala , who ran that national mark on this very course in 2022 , moved into second and was only caught by Uganda ’ s Dorcus Ajok in the final kilometre .
TOP 10 MEN
1 . Victor Kipruto ( Kenya ) 28:28 2 . Precious Mashele ( Boxer ) 28:36 3 . Thabang Mosiako ( Nedbank ) 28:38 4 . Elroy Gelant ( Boxer ) 28:51 5 . Ezekiel Mutai ( Uganda ) 28:52 6 . Denis Kipngetich ( Kenya ) 28:54 7 . Anthony Timoteus ( Nedbank ) 28:55 8 . Reghen Magwai ( Hollywood ) 28:57 9 . Kabelo Seboko ( Boxer ) 28:59 10 . William Kaptein ( Langa ) 29:05
WOMEN
1 . Veronica Loleo ( Kenya ) 31:38 2 . Dorcus Ajok ( Uganda ) 32:09 3 . Neheng Khatala ( Lesotho / Hollywood ) 32:13 4 . Prisca Chesang ( Uganda ) 32:45 5 . Genet Abdurkadir Habela ( Ethiopia ) 33:08 6 . Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) 33:35 7 . Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) 33:46 8 . Kesa Molotsane ( Murray & Roberts ) 34:14 9 . Rutendo Nyahora ( Zimbabwe / Hollywood ) 35:13 10 . Lebogang Phalula ( Boxer ) 35:33
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