Doreen Cherop and Salem Kibet gave Kenya a golden double at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, with both producing decisive late surges to win at the Union Buildings.
Cherop timed her move to perfection, breaking away from defending champion Glenrose Xaba in the final kilometre to win the women’s race in 31:35.
Xaba, preparing for next month’s World Athletics Road Running Championships, finished three seconds back in 31:38, with fellow Kenyan Deborah Chemutai third in 31:59.
“I’m happy with my performance. It was a great race,” Cherop said.
“I pushed in the first half and realised Glenrose was strong. So I made my move in the last kilometre and when she didn’t respond, I pushed even harder.”
The victory was Cherop’s second in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series after she won last month’s Durban 10K.
She also credited the series for creating opportunities for African athletes.
“We will keep coming if the organisers keep organising such beautiful races. I want to thank the race organisers. This event was well organised.”
Xaba was left to rue a late opening.
“The competition was tough. I’m glad I was able to fight until the finish,” she said.
“I realised in the last 200m I still had energy, but it was too late to close the gap.”
The men’s race delivered a Kenyan victory, but the South African challenge ran deep.
Kibet crossed the line in 28:45, missing Kamohelo Mofolo’s course record of 28:40 by five seconds.
“The record was on my mind, but I lost it,” Kibet said. “I’ll prepare for it next time because I now know the course.”
After following early pace-setter Neil van der Merwe, Kibet found himself locked in battle with Boxer Athletics Club teammates Chris Mhlanga and Zenzile Pheko.
The Kenyan then made his move in the closing stages and held firm.
Pheko produced a powerful finish to take second in 28:55, one second ahead of Mhlanga, while Joshua Mengich was fourth in **28:57.
Five men broke 29 minutes in a race that had no shortage of horsepower.
“I’ve been preparing for this race for almost a month. My preparation made me perform this way,” Kibet said.
“The course was hard, but I’m happy I managed to win.”
Pheko celebrated his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium.
“I’m happy, and so are my family and coach. I didn’t want to put myself under pressure because I knew I had prepared well,” he said.
“I’m happy with my second place.”
Tshwane once again proved fertile ground for fast road running, with Kenya taking the headlines and South Africa providing plenty of resistance.
