Defending champion Bennet Seloyi and in-form athlete Tayla Kavanagh will line up as the favourites on Saturday for the national titles at the South African 10km Championships, to be incorporated in the North Ridge Mall Marathon in Bloemfontein.
Men’s contenders
Seloyi, who has been in superb form this year, will be confident of retaining the national men’s 10km crown, as he goes in search of his second ASA title this season after winning the national 42km championships in Cape Town in February.
He’s going to have to work hard for it, however, against a line-up which features some of the country’s top distance runners, including some rising stars.
Among his strongest opposition, at least on paper, are former SA 3 000m record holder Jerry Motsau, national steeplechase champion Ashley Smith, Chris Mhlanga, Cwenga Nose, Deon-Lee Hendricks and 20-year-old prospect Musawenkosi Mnisi.
Women’s contenders
In the women’s race, a new champion will be crowned in the absence of last year’s winner, Glenrose Xaba.
Having displayed spectacular form this season, setting a 10km personal best of 31:41 in Cape Town last month, Kavanagh will be difficult to beat.
Like Seloyi, however, she will have to be at her best when she turns out alongside Ntsoaki Molahloe, Karabo Mailula and Karabo More, among others.
* Featured image of Bennet Seloyi by Action Photo
