Fastest man in the world over 12km at FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

Fastest man in the world over 12km back to defend title at FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

DEFENDING CHAMP: Morris Gachaga pic: Tobias Ginsberg

It is official, the fastest man ever over 12km will return to defend his title at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN this coming Sunday, 20 May 2018.

Morris Gachaga, the 23-year-old Kenyan, stormed to a 33:27 win at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN in 2017 to set the fastest time ever recorded over the 12km distance.

LOCAL FAVOURITE: Elroy Gelant pic: Tobias Ginsberg

Gachaga is in better shape than before.  On 09 February he finished 5th in the RAK Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, clocking 59.36.  That was followed up with a 3rd place finish in Lisbon where he covered the 21.1km in 60:17 on 11 March, before heading off to London as pace maker to Eliud Kipchoge who won the 2018 edition of the London Marathon.

The 59.36 (RAK Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon) places Gachaga 8th in the world this year over the half marathon and is a personal best for him over the distance by more than a minute (1min 2sec) from his previous best of 60:38 run in Paris on 5 March 2017.

FESTIVE: Central Athletics bus having fun at the CT12 ONE RUN

Clearly he will be coming into the race on 20 May in the best shape of his life and could potentially challenge his own “record”* time if the rest of the field go with the required pace.

“I am looking forward to coming back to Cape Town to defend my title,” says Gachaga. “I have good memories of that race and want to do well. I am in great shape.  If things go well, maybe I can better my 33:27 and lower the World Best.”

This will be Gachaga’s 3rd visit to South Africa and 2nd to Cape Town since running that World Best. Injury curtailed his chances to challenge Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei at the inaugural FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN in 2017 where he had to settle for 10th in a season’s best of 29:47.

Central Athletics at the start of the CT12 ONERUN

Mathew Kiprotich Kimutai of Kenya will be making his debut appearance at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday 20 May. Kimutai will add depth to an already impressive men’s line up.  His 43:48 for 15km run in Kabarak (Kenya) on 29 July 2017, shows that he is no slouch and will be ignored at the rest of the field’s peril.

* The 12km is a non-standard race and hence the time is ratified as a World Best, not a World Record.

EVENT INFORMATION:  FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Central Athletics member enjoying themselves at finish of the FNB CT12 ONERUN

Charity Support:  When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both the FNB Cape Town ONERUN Charities:  Die Burger Kersfonds and The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA.

Facebook: Ctown12 / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA / @DBKersfonds

Twitter: @CTown12 / @SPCACape

Instagram: CapeTown_12 / CapeSPCA

Hashtag:  #CT12Run

Website:  www.thecapetown12.com

The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN forms part of the “FNB Run Your City Series” that includes the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN (taking place on Monday, 24 September 2018 / Heritage Day) and the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN (taking place on Sunday, 14 October 2018)

FUN TIMES: Central Athletics having a blast at the FNB CT12 ONE RUN

Runners taking part in all three events will be rewarded with an unrivalled event experience, a FNB Run Your City Series Performance T-shirt and medal on completion of the third race, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN, where a special hospitality area awaits.  

Watch the FNB Run Your City Series Teaser Video:  https://bit.ly/2K9GXzz

For further information please visit www.runyourcityseries.com  For more information on the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN visitwww.thecapetown12.com or email entries@thecapetown12.com

About the FNB Run Your City Series:

FNB CT12 ONE RUN participants overjoyed down the home straight.

FNB is proud to bring you the FNB Run Your City Series. The series encompasses three unique mass races namely the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN and the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The three races are about inclusivity for all as well as encouraging business involvement, family, world class achievement and fun for all participants.

BLUE BRIGADE: Central Athletics in the shadow of Table Mountain at the FNB CT12 ONERUN.

FNB’s strategy is to engage with our clients and non-clients through healthy lifestyle activities, where we sponsor selected sporting events that allow usrelationship building opportunities, ensuring that we enrich the communities and the lives of those around us. Through the runs, we encourage runners to run their city their way. We invite all runners back to the city to experience the rejuvenation, revival and renewed city centres.