Kabelo Mulaudzi and Glenrose Xaba will lead South Africa’s hopes at the first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Mangaung 10K in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 25 October.
Ultra-marathon star Gerda Steyn is also in the field, IOL Sport reported. The race is part of a road series organised by Stillwater Sports.
“When it comes to the 25th of October, I’m hoping to do well at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K. I’m hoping to be encouraged by the crowds and by the strong competition that will line up next to me,” Steyn said.
Steyn, a local runner, will be racing in her home province. “My aim is to get the most out of myself on race day, which is all I can ask of myself,” she said.
As with other races in the series, top South African runners will face invited athletes from East Africa. Mulaudzi and Stephen Mokoka are expected to carry the local challenge in the men’s race.
Mulaudzi runs for Boxer Athletics Club. He won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K a month ago, crossing the line in 28:48. It was his first win of the year.
“I’ve been struggling this year, so I wanted to defend my title because everyone had forgotten about me. I’m happy to be back. It’s my first win of the year and in the series. I’m very happy,” he said after that race.
Mulaudzi won four of the five races in the series last year. He will now try to become the first winner of the Mangaung race.
His main rival could be Kenya’s Felix Kibet Masai, who won the Two Oceans Half Marathon. Kibet finished ninth on his debut in the series in Durban.
Kibet lowered his personal best to 27:19 in Prague last month. “I’m very happy with my results in Prague. After that PB, I knew that I would be focusing on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. I’m looking forward to giving a good performance and standing on top of the podium,” he said.
Arthur Jantjies, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon champion, will also line up. He won the first Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town the previous weekend and will now test himself over a shorter distance.
In the women’s race, Xaba will try to stop Kenyans Deborah Chemutai and Jackline Rotich from taking the title home.
Xaba is training for next year’s World Athletics Half Marathon Championships over 21.1km. She still showed her speed by winning the Boxer Durban 5k the weekend before the Mangaung race.
Lesotho’s Neheng Khathala will also arrive in good form. The Hollywood Athletics Club runner won the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10k in Soweto on the Sunday before the Mangaung race.
IOL Sport reported that the Soweto route was tough, which could affect how fresh Khathala is for Sunday’s race in Bloemfontein.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.