CAPE TOWN – South Africa’s newly crowned 10km record holder, Precious Mashele is confident to repeat the Gqeberha’s form in the Cape Town edition for the Absa run your city Cape Town 10K on Sunday.
Mashele will be facing tough competition when he takes it to the road in the 8th annual Absa run after he delivered a cracker form in Gqeberha in April, winning the inaugural Absa Gqeberha 10K.
Now back for the second leg in the series, Mashele is wary of the tough competition ahead.
The race will see the likes of Elroy Gelant, Melikhaya Frans and others bracing for the good weather of Mother City.
“I am looking forward to running sub 28 again, I want to keep my consistency, that is how I can manage to keep my form high, by continuing to do better every day. It won’t be easy but I have trained and I am fit,” said Mashele.
“My preparations have been going well for this race. last weekend I ran 27 minutes on the track which is something good for me and my form.
“All I want on Sunday is to win the race, or if not I must finish on the podium. And I won’t be focusing much on the competition on the day but on my own race. That way I will be able to do well.”
Alongside Mashele will be the top runners, and fastest in the 10k course, the likes of Thabang Mosiako, Mbuleli Mathanga, Gelant, and Frans will have spectators up on their seats on the day.
Fresh after he conquered the Boston Marathon last month, Frans believes Cape Town 10K gives the runners the chance to redeem themselves.
He says anyone can win on the day, pointing out that even though the competition is stiff, not 100% fit he can still cause an upset on Sunday.
“I cannot wait for Sunday, with the weather looking to be showing up as well favouring the runner. I aim to do well,” said Frans.
“I have been travelling a lot lately, as a result, I am not 100% fit, I recently came from the Boston Marathon, but don’t count me out at all. I will be in the top 10 on Sunday.
Gelant added: “Precious said he will go out fast but knowing Cape Town and weather, he will need to check that out. I will be out there giving my best and will be aiming for a podium spot,” he said.
“As an athlete, you can gun and aim for a high finish but if your body decides otherwise on the day, there nothing you can do about it. So you need to wait for the actual day to see how the body will respond.
“And for me, the toughest competition on Sunday will be myself, I will be focusing on my race and aim to break my own record.”
The race will have a new start time at Woodbridge Island, Milnerton, now at 08:00.
