SA 10km Record Holder, Stephen Mokoka and in-form Glenrose Xaba would like nothing more than to add the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN title to their list of achievements.
Celebrating its 2nd anniversary, the race will run through the streets of Johannesburg on Sunday 24 September 2017. In 2016, Mokoka finished 7th and Xaba 5th.This year, though, the scene is vastly different. In 2016 Mokoka had just returned from the Olympic Games and was fatigued. This year he is in shape and eager to add this title to his name. Xaba, in the last few months, has come into the shape of her life, winning both SA Cross Country titles (10km and 4km), on 9 September and running a personal best in the 10km at the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 17 September. Xaba took 31 seconds off her previous best when she clocked 33:25 in Cape Town.
This year, though, the scene is vastly different. In 2016 Mokoka had just returned from the Olympic Games and was fatigued. This year he is in shape and eager to add this title to his name. Xaba, in the last few months, has come into the shape of her life, winning both SA Cross Country titles (10km and 4km), on 9 September and running a personal best in the 10km at the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 17 September. Xaba took 31 seconds off her previous best when she clocked 33:25 in Cape Town.
In fact, Xaba has improved her 10km best four times in 2017. Opening with 34:49 in Cape Town in April, Xaba’s next race was timed at 34:15 in Port Elizabeth, a month later. Then on 11 June she went under 34 minutes for the first time in her career, clocking 33:56, before setting her most recent PB.
“This year I am injury free. I am training with Michael Seme’s group in Pretoria, and it is paying off. I am looking forward to Sunday’s race. I know Sunday will be tough. Cornelia (Joubert) is always dangerous and has been in good shape this year. She won the National Half Marathon Championships in Port Elizabeth in June. Lebogang (Phalula) is the defending champion, so she will be dangerous too.”
“This race is important to me”, says Stephen Mokoka. “Stillwater Sports always gets us a good field and we like to show our appreciation by running hard and well. I have unfinished business here after last year. I was tired. This year it is different and I am in good shape.”
Facing Mokoka will be his friend and rival Sibusiso Nzima who finished 3rd last year. Nzima is coming back into the shape that made him so dangerous in 2016 and saw him being selected for the World Marathon Championships this year. Nzima has raced very sparingly in 2017 and is guaranteed to be fresh come race day.
The field is loaded with Desmond Mokgobu and Mbongeni Ngxazozo also in the line-up. David Manja finished 4th at the National Cross Country Championships, just behind Thabang Mosiako. They will be serious threats on Sunday 24 September.
While all eyes will be on Lebogang Phalula, Glenrose Xaba and Cornelia Joubert, write Rutendo Nyahora off at your peril. The 28-year-old Zimbabwean loves racing in South Africa. She has been a thorn in the side of the local women for years and thrives on courses that offer a challenge. This Sunday’s race should be right up her alley.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Iconic landmarks to look out for on the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN route will include: the Nelson Mandela Bridge, FNB Bank City, Constitution Hill, Mary Fitzgerald Square, Wits University, Neighbourgoods Market and Ellis Park Stadium to mention just a few.
| Date: | Sunday, 24 September 2017 (Heritage Day) |
| Time: | 08:00 |
| Start Venue: | FNB Bank City Johannesburg |
| Finish Venue: | Mary Fitzgerald Square Newtown |
Each entrant will receive a magnificent Event Performance T-shirt.
Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or all three of the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN Charities: the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, the Johannesburg SPCA and/or the Reach For A Dream Foundation.
Like our Facebook page: Joburg-10K / The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation / Johannesburg SPCA / The Reach For A Dream Foundation
Follow us on Twitter: @joburg10K / @JoburgHeritage / @JhbSPCA / @ReachForADream
Follow us on Instagram: @Joburg10K
Official hashtag: #J10krun
For more information on the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN email entries@joburg10k.com or visit www.joburg10k.com
About the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN sponsorship:
FNB Business is proud to be the title sponsor of the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN. This sponsorship forms part of our ongoing strategy to support local and community events that focus on a healthy lifestyle and family involvement. Road running is an inclusive sport that allows us to engage with a larger audience and support a sporting disciplines that advance our commitment to building, enduring and rewarding relationships with communities we are a part of.
We believe in supporting a race that encourages people to run and know their city; a race that strives to re-invent how people perceive and experience the city centre. The FNB Bank City buildings are well-known and iconic buildings in the Johannesburg CBD and the precinct was recently revamped in 2015 with three lifestyle concepts of Work, Eat & Play in mind. For many years it has been viewed as traditional banking headquarters; however the revamp has positively changed the experience of the precinct.
Sponsoring the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN is aligned to our belief in the importance of rejuvenating and reviving the city centre so it remains relevant and an important part of Johannesburg’s Heritage.
