JOHANNESBURG – Thabang Mosiako and Glenrose Xaba won the respective men’s and women’s races in the Joburg 10k CityRun held in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Sunday.
In the men’s race, Mosiako upstaged the highly-accomplished Stephen Mokoka for the victory.
Mosiako battled with the 2:07 marathoner Mokoka until the 8km mark, until the 22-year-old surged away to cross the finish line in an impressive time of 29 minutes 51 seconds on the difficult, hilly route.
Mokoka finished in 30:14, with Gladwin Mzazi taking third in 30:35.
“I saw him there at Constitution Hill, and I decided to make my move at the top. I saw Stephen was dead, so I just went,” said Mosiako after his race.
“My aim coming into the race was just to get top-10. It was an amazing run, I’m very happy with my result. It’s really amazing to beat Stephen, because he is very strong. I got him in the last two kays.”
Despite the challenging course, Mosiako had no problems conquering the route and the 14 000 other runners.
“I didn’t think I’d go under 30, because I knew it’s a tough course. In the last 5km, I started surging and no one was responding. Stephen then approached me, and we were fighting. And I just managed to move away in those last two kilos.”
Mosiako’s next race is the FNB Durban 10km race on October 8.
Mokoka, meanwhile, was still pleased with his second place and paid tribute to the performance of Mosiako.
“It was a tough race for me. I think the first 4km was okay, but up to 8km, it was all uphill. It was very difficult and it was also running into a strong wind. But I’m happy with my time because I improved from last year,” said Mokoka.
Glenrose Xaba won the women's division in the Joburg 10k CityRun held in Newtown, Johannesburg, on Sunday. Photo: Michael Sherman/ANA
“I wanted to get to Constitution Hill first, but unfortunately this young boy (Mosiako) was too strong for me.
“He’s a young boy and his legs managed it better. But it was a good move from him, because if he didn’t go so soon, I think I could have taken him near the end.
“This course is not good for a guy like me who is light on his feet, I want to run hard and fast, but I just struggled on the hills.”
In the women’s race, the SA 10km and 4km champion Xaba lived up to her favourite tag to claim the win in 35:39.
Nolene Conrad was second in 36:12, with Rudo Mhonderwa third in 36:40.