With a world-class lineup, including Kenya’s Diana Chepkorir, who is one of only 17 women to have broken 30 minutes in a 10km race, it’s all systems go for the much-anticipated Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10Km on Sunday May 12.
Chepkorir headlines the women’s race after winning last month’s Gqeberha series in 31:15. Boasting a personal best of 29:56, the Kenyan says she loves racing in South Africa.
Back to race in SA
“I decided to come back to race here in South Africa because it is a nice place to visit. The country is so welcoming, and the races are well organised. I hope for good weather on Sunday to perform at my best,” said the diminutive East African. She produced a personal best 15:01 for 5km when she claimed fourth position at the Adizero Road to Record. This was in the race held in Germany a fortnight ago.
Chepkorir’s compatriot Vincent Langat is the favourite to win the men’s race. After victory in the Friendly City last month and a lifetime best 27:11 at the same event in Germany, Langat will be gunning for a second consecutive Run Your City series victory. But the fastest South African in the field, Precious Mashele, who challenged him in Nelson Mandela Bay, has other ideas.
East African influence
“You remember that last year in Gqeberha, I ran the national record (27:35) and that was because of the East Africans. They push us. They don’t run slow. They run hard from start to finish. So if you want to run fast, just chase them. I like running with them because they make us run personal bests. My body is responding well. on Sunday my goal is to finish on the podium. Anything is possible though, I think. I can be the first man to cross the line,” said Mashele, the national 10km record holder.
Mashele leads the South African charge that includes the in-form Elroy Gelant, Stephen Mokoka and Kabelo Mulaudzi. All of them have finished on the podium in previous editions of the Run Your City series. In the women’s race is Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala who was third last year is back again. Cacisile Sosibo will carry South African hopes in the Mother City on Mother’s Day.
