A powerful line-up has been announced for the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km later this month, with local stars gearing up to face a strong foreign contingent at the annual race.
The men’s contest, in particular, looks set to be a thriller, with a long list of elite contenders included in the line-up.
In-form athlete Elroy Gelant will be eager to build on his superb season, which has seen him winning the national marathon and half-marathon titles and taking 11th place in the Olympic marathon in Paris last month.
He will have to dig deep, however, against the likes of SA 10km record holder Precious Mashele and defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi, who successfully retained his national cross country title in Vanderbijlpark last week.
Other entrants
Other local athletes to watch include Chris Mhlanga, SA 5km champion Nicholas Seoposengwe and former middle-distance track specialist George Kusche.
And the list of international entrants is equally impressive, spearheaded by 18-year-old Kenyan athlete Gideon Kipngetich, the African junior cross country champion.
The field also features Namakoe Nkhasi, the Lesotho record holder over the 10km distance, as well as his compatriots Tebello Ramakongoana, who finished seventh in the recent Olympic marathon, and in-form athlete Kamohelo Mofolo.
Women’s contenders
In the women’s race, Ethiopian athlete Tadu Nare will turn out as the pre-race favourite.
Nare, who set a marathon personal best of 2:20:04 in Chicago last year, is a popular figure on South Africa’s road running circuit and she will be confident of adding to her growing list of victories on SA soil.
Blandini Makatisi, the Lesotho half-marathon record holder, will also hope to challenge for victory.
Local entries include defending champion Cian Oldknow, who won the SA cross country title last week, as well as Cacisile Sosibo, national 4km cross country champion Karabo Mailula, and former SA marathon champion Jenet Mbhele.
The Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race will be held on 29 September.
