Every distance runner dreams of the race that changes everything. For 19-year-old Mpho Katiso, that opportunity is waiting beneath the shadow of the Union Buildings at the sold-out Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, 23 August.
The talented 1500m specialist is preparing to swap the comfort of familiar territory for the wide-open highway of South Africa’s premier road running series, where seasoned campaigners and rising stars will share the same starting line.
“I have never competed in any of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races before,” said Katiso. “But I’d love to be there to feel the huge energy of a big race on a fast course. I’m looking forward to competing against the top elites again.”
Fresh from Prestige College and now studying at Tshwane University of Technology, Katiso has immersed herself in one of the country’s strongest female distance running groups under Violet and Caster Semenya. Alongside established stars Glenrose Xaba, reigning African 1500m champion Karabo More and FISU World University Cross Country champion Karabo Mailula, every training session is a classroom where grit graduates into greatness.
“Being part of coach Caster and Violet’s training group feels hard, but it’s also inspiring because you get mentorship, focus, discipline and you also learn to believe in yourself. I’m growing as a person and not only as an athlete. Glenrose, Karabo More and Karabo Mailula are more like sisters than training partners because we stick together and push each other. Training with them encourages me and I’ve learnt to show up even when it’s hard.”
Katiso owns a personal best of 4:27.92 over 1500m and recently claimed bronze at the national 5km championships in Gqeberha with a lifetime best 16:48. Earlier this month she crossed the line in 36:52 to finish 13th overall and first junior at the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane.
Now she is setting her sights far higher.
“Competing against seniors feels exciting and scary at the same time because everyone looks so confident, and you’re standing there with a ‘J’ tag on. It feels like you’re being pulled out of your comfort zone. But it teaches you about pacing and race tactics, and you also learn how to be mentally tough. It forces you to run with more courage and realise what’s possible. You have to believe in yourself.”
“My target for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is to challenge myself throughout the race and push my limits. The main target is to run a PB, and not only any PB, I’ll be targeting a massive PB.”
Series founder Michael Meyer believes Katiso embodies exactly what the event aims to achieve.
“We’re excited to welcome Mpho Katiso to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series for the first time. At only 19 years old, she has already demonstrated tremendous potential, and it’s encouraging to see her embracing the challenge of racing against some of South Africa’s best athletes. One of the defining characteristics of the Series is the opportunity it provides for emerging talent to compete alongside established stars, and we’re confident that experiences like these will play an important role in Mpho’s development.”
On a course built for speed, Katiso will toe the line carrying little baggage and enormous ambition. Sometimes the future does not knock politely. Sometimes it sprints straight through the front door.
