Johannesburg’s road-running faithful can expect a five-kilometre sprint with plenty of bite when the Boxer Super Run rolls into Emmarentia on Sunday, 15 November, with local favourite Modupe Tladi and Somerset West’s Kyla Jacobs among the headline acts looking to make their mark.
Both athletes will make their Boxer Super Run Joburg debuts, arriving with ambitions of gate-crashing the podium when South Africa’s elite runners turn the 5km distance into a high-speed chess match played at lung-busting pace.
For Tladi, the stakes carry an added measure of home-ground pride. The Bramley-based runner heads into the race with momentum after striking gold in the men’s 5km road race at the Region 5 Marathon in Tshwane during the first weekend of November.
His winning time of 13:53 put daylight between him and runners-up Musawenkosi Mnisi and Zenzile Pheko, providing a timely confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
The Boxer Athletics Club runner believes the Johannesburg course could play into his strengths, particularly if the hills make their presence felt.
“I think the Boxer Super Run is a good event that will really suit me if there are hills. My goal in Joburg is to finish in the top three, with my ultimate goal being to become one of the best at the Boxer Super Run.”
Tladi will need to bring his A-game. A quality elite field means there will be no room for sightseeing once the gun goes off. Five kilometres might sound deceptively short, but at championship pace it can feel like a marathon squeezed into a pressure cooker.
Jacobs also has unfinished business with the Boxer Super Run podium.
The Somerset West athlete will contest the Elite Women’s Wave after previously finishing third at the Durban edition. The 5km specialist is eager to climb another rung on the podium ladder.
“The 5km is my favourite distance, and the Boxer Super Run, irrespective of the city in which it takes place, is always a fun event with amazing support,” says Jacobs.
“I jumped at the opportunity to take part in the Boxer Super Run in Joburg because it gives us the opportunity to race against some of South Africa’s best athletes while pushing each other to faster times.”
Her approach to the distance is built around discipline and intelligent preparation.
“To get the most out of yourself over the 5km distance, you need to train smart, listen to your body and stick to your race plan,” she explains.
“I finished third at the Boxer Super Run in Durban, so I will be looking to improve on that performance and move up the podium.”
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, expects the newcomers to add further firepower to an already competitive line-up.
“Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs are both exciting additions to the Boxer Super Run Joburg elite line-up, and it will be interesting to see what they can achieve over the 5km distance,” says Meyer.
“With a strong field expected, we’re looking forward to some exciting racing and another memorable edition of the Boxer Super Run in Johannesburg.”
Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores, believes the event’s appeal extends well beyond the elite athletes chasing championship honours.
“Seeing runners like Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs stepping up to compete against some of South Africa’s best is extremely rewarding,” says Pillay.
“The Boxer Super Run is also about creating opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy running, challenge themselves and be part of an incredible community experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Joburg for another fantastic celebration of running.”
The action starts at Orange Road in Emmarentia, with the finish at Marks Park Sports Club. The Open Wave gets proceedings underway at 07:00, followed by the Super Social Waves between 08:00 and 09:30.
The Elite Women take centre stage at 09:45, with the Elite Men following at 10:00. A 1km Kids Race rounds off the programme at 10:30.
With entries officially SOLD OUT, Johannesburg has already voted with its feet.
The 5km celebration promises a colourful cocktail of speed, sweat, spectacle and community spirit. For Tladi and Jacobs, however, the party comes with a serious competitive bill: five kilometres to turn ambition into silverware.
