ADVERTORIAL
Kabelo Mulaudzi taking line honours in the 2023 edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Kabelo Ready to Race in Tshwane
After achieving the fastest 10km time of his career with a second-place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 7 July 2024 , Kabelo Mulaudzi is confident of his chances to successfully defend his title at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday 25 August .
In many ways , 2024 is mirroring 2023 for 26-year-old Kabelo Mulaudzi . Last year , the Boxer Athletic Club ’ s top runner achieved a sub-28-minute victory in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K , with the first sub-28 time of his career ( 27:56 ), before clinching the win in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K just over a month later . ( He also won the SA 10km Cross Country Championship title , and several other races .)
This year , he finished second in the Durban race with his second career sub-28 , but went still faster , lowering his personal best to 27:53 , and now he will line up for the Tshwane race with renewed confidence , after an injury threatened to derail his 2024 season . “ That sub-28 in Durban boosted my confidence , because it shows me that I ’ m still at the same level as last year . I broke my personal best by three seconds . So , when I train , I ’ m happy and I train with confidence ,” he says .
Feeling Relaxed
Mulaudzi says that winning the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in a thrilling sprint finish against SA 10km Record-holder Precious Mashele remains one of the highlights of his career . “ It was not easy to sprint against Precious , because I learnt so much from him when we trained together at Zoo Lake , but last year was the best season ever in my career ,” he recalls .
Of course , lining up in Tshwane as the defending champion might make some shrink under the weight of expectation , but Mulaudzi says he is looking forward to the challenge . “ I don ’ t feel any pressure to win the race , because any race is a new race , and I respect each athlete I ’ m racing against . If I defend my title , it will be a bonus for me . I would be happy to finish on the podium again , like I did in Durban . I ’ m just going to try my best , and I ’ m looking forward to running again in Tshwane .”
All Aboard !
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is set to further elevate the runner ’ s experience in Tshwane and Joburg by welcoming the Gautrain as its Official Transport Partner . The events in Tshwane and Joburg will take place on Sunday 25 August and Tuesday 24 September respectively . According to Tshepo Kgobe , Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency , this partnership will make it that much easier for runners to enjoy a great day out as they run their cities .
“ The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series includes two races in Gauteng that are easily accessible via the Gautrain . So , runners from Johannesburg will be able to travel to Pretoria for the race on
25 August , and vice versa for the race in Johannesburg on 24 September , making it easy for them to participate in both events ,” he says .
The Gautrain will ensure a hasslefree journey to the upcoming Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events
“ This partnership aligns with the Agency ’ s purpose to transform spaces , people and the economy through mobility . We want people to experience the convenience of the Gautrain for work , play and running . The Gautrain will ensure that you arrive at the race hassle-free and on time , and then provide a relaxed trip home to recover ,” adds Kgobe .
Book Your Seat There are two ways runners can quickly and easily secure their booking on the Gautrain and Gautrain Bus for race day :
• When registering online for either event via www . runyourcityseries . com .
• During Race Pack Collection in each city . ( Visit www . runyourcityseries . com to confirm the Race Pack Collection dates and times .)
Images : Tobias Ginsberg & courtesy Gautrain
44 ISSUE 171 | www . modernathlete . co . za
is a media partner of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series . For more information , as well as for online entries , go to www . runyourcityseries . com .