DURBAN - This Sunday sees the 10km CitySurfRun race wind its way through Durban, beginning in the shadow of the iconic arch of Moses Mabhida Stadium. It is the final leg of the Run Your City Series that will welcome hundreds of fun-runners, but as well as some hardened veterans of the global running community.
Thabang Mosiako is one such elite runner that will be spearheading South Africa’s attack, and having flown the flag for the Rainbow Nation at the third annual Joburg 10K CityRun, but falling short to competitors from Eritrea, Uganda and Lesotho, Mosiako will be looking to take top honours on the coast.
“I am getting fitter and fitter all the time. I was happy with my race on Monday. It was only in the last 3km that I was not able to stay with Filmon Ande, Mande Bushendich and [course record holder] Namakoe Nkhasi,” said Mosiako.
Mosiako will be joined by Elroy Gelant and the impressive Ryan Mphahlele amongst others. The latter has been in scintillating form all year and intends to make a statement in Durban after winning the SA 4km U23 Cross Country title in emphatic fashion earlier in September and winning on his debut over 5000m on September 22, clocking 14:00.09.
Gelant will also be motivated to make a statement as his season draws to a close. “I have been getting better all the time and Durban will be my last race of the season, so of course I want to give it my all,” Gelant explained.
In the women’s race, there is some Commonwealth Games royalty as Uganda’s Stella Chesang, the 2018 Commonwealth Games 10 000m champion, will be in Durban on Sunday looking to make a mark.
The 21-year-old Chesang finished in a relatively disappointing third when she ran the Cape Town 12 OneRun in May earlier this year, but having produced the goods in Australia at the Commonwealth Games, it was understandable.
Boxer Athletics Club’s Elroy Gelant and Thabang Mosiako getting ready to get us their thoughts on their race day strategy at the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN Media Conference. #FNBRunYourCity pic.twitter.com/fg4mmwPVvo
— Durban 10K (@Durban10k) October 12, 2018
“After the Commonwealth Games I was tired and in Cape Town I was not in the shape that I wanted to be in. Now, however, I am preparing hard for Durban and the 10km personal best has me very excited. I know that Mercyline [Chelangat] knows the route and therefore has the advantage, but I am confident in my abilities,” Chesang added.