Uganda’s Stella Chesang, the 2018 Commonwealth Games 10 000m champion will return to South Africa on Sunday, 14 October to take on country woman and FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN defending champion, Mercyline Chelangat.
Chesang complained of fatigue when she ran the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN in May earlier this year, where she finished 3rd. However, the 21-year-old is shaping up to impressive form as she prepares for Durban. On 02 September, Chesang took a massive 10 seconds off of her 10km PB when she clocked 31:44 in Tilburg (Netherlands), and with five weeks from that race to prepare, she feels confident for Durban.
“After the Commonwealth Games I was tired and in Cape Town I was not in the shape that I wanted to be in. Now, however, I am preparing hard for Durban and the 10km PB has me very excited. I know that Mercyline (Chelangat) knows the route and therefore has the advantage, but I am confident in my abilities.”
Chesang and Chelangat met in the 10 000m final at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane where she won with Chelangat finishing 3rd. They met again at the Africa Championships in Asaba in August where they finished 4th and 5th respectively (32:29.54 – 32:36.39). If Chesang beats Chelangat in Durban, this will be the third consecutive victory over her country woman in 2018. Both are shaping up to be in peak form come 14 October.
Add in an inform Irvette van Zyl and you have all the ingredients of an epic race on 14 October. Van Zyl has been in impressive form since giving birth to her second son in July and after this past weekend feels confident of becoming only the third South African woman to break 32 minutes for the 10km. “I am clearly in better shape than I thought,” said van Zyl after her win at the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN on Heritage Day, 24 September. “With Stella (Chesang) and Mercyline (Chelangat) in the field this has to be a good opportunity for me to go under 32 minutes, both are fast over the 10km and I am looking forward to the chance.”
Van Zyl had clocked her second best time ever over 10km on Sunday, 23 September (32:48) in Cape Town, before flying to Johannesburg that evening to line up for the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN. She not only won, but duly shattered the course record of 35:34, crossing the line in 33:51.
With all three athletes coming into shape leading up to 14 October, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN is shaping up to be a big battle indeed and could well see the fastest 10km ever run in South Africa.
EVENT INFORMATION: FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN
Celebrating its 2nd anniversary in 2018, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN grants entrants the unique opportunity to explore their city on foot. In addition to lively on-route entertainment and rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best middle distance runners, the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN route will also highlight a number of Durban’s iconic landmarks.
| Date: | Sunday, 14 October 2018 |
| Entry Fee: | Standard Entry: R170 (licensed) / R190 (unlicensed)
Gold Package Entry: R850 (licensed) / R870 (unlicensed) |
| Enter: | Online: www.durban10k.com |
| Instore: Totalsports – Gateway, Westville Pavilion, Musgrave, West Street, Pinetown, The Bluff, Bridge City, City View and Chatsworth | |
| Instore Entries Close: | Monday, 24 September 2018 |
| Online Entries Close: | Monday, 01 October 2018 |
The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN is proudly hosted by KZN Athletics.
CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering online runners (and walkers) can support one of five Durban based charities: 1. The Reach For A Dream Foundation, 2. TREE, 3. Durban & Coast SPCA, 4. LIV Village and/or 5. iThemba Lethu.
PRIZE PURSE: The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN will boast a whopping Prize Purse of R250000 in 2018. Prize Money will be awarded to the top ten men’s and women’s finishers in the open category with the overall winners each taking home R30 000. Prize money has also been allocated to the top three finishers in the junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ age group categories.
EXCITING ON ROUTE ACTIVATION: PUMA South Africa has thrown down the gauntlet challenging runners to ‘Beat Bolt’ at the 2nd annual FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The ‘Beat Bolt’ Sprint requires speed. Be prepared to give your all over a 100m sprint. This section of the route will be timed. The runner (male and female) to clock the fastest time over the 100m will be rewarded with a PUMA shopping voucher to the value of R10 000.
Facebook: Durban10k
Twitter: @Durban10k
Instagram: @Durban10k
Official hashtag: #FNBRunYourCity
Website: www.durban10k.com
About the FNB Run Your City Series:
FNB is proud to bring you the FNB Run Your City Series. The series encompasses three unique mass races namely the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN and the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The three races are about inclusivity for all as well as encouraging business involvement, family, world class achievement and fun for all participants.
FNB’s strategy is to engage with our clients and non-clients through healthy lifestyle activities, where we sponsor selected sporting events that allow us relationship building opportunities, ensuring that we enrich the communities and the lives of those around us. Through the runs, we encourage runners to run their city their way. We invite all runners back to the city to experience the rejuvenation, revival and renewed city centres.
For further information please visit www.runyourcityseries.com
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: FNB Run Your City Series a Stillwater Sports Initiative