Defending champion, Thabang Mosiako will take on the course record holder, Namakoe Nkhasi in the 2018 version of the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN on Monday, 24 September (National Heritage Day).
Nkhasi blew away the favourites in the inaugural race in 2016, showing the likes of Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant and Sibusiso Nzima a clean pair of heals, scorching to a winning time of 29:48 on a course that takes no prisoners. A year later the unfancied Thabang Mosiako went with Stephen Mokoka after 5km and then with 2km to go on the long downhill to the finish at Mary Fitzgerald Square, put on the afterburners and dropped the fancied Mokoka to win by almost 30 seconds (29:51 to 30:15) and narrowly missing the course record held by Nkhasi.
Mosiako and Nkhasi are back in 2018 to offer a duel that could be of the most intense battles seen in South African road running. Both athletes have a propensity for tough courses, and the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN is tough. Neither athlete fears taking the race to their more fancied counterparts, and both are looking to end 2018 with a bang.
“I like the tough courses, the hills, I am strong on them. So the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN is a course that suits me,” says Mosiako. “I am racing the SA Cross Country Championships in PE on 8 September in the 10km to try and secure my place at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, so I have been training hard for the national championships. That training will suit me well for Joburg, as cross country training is tough and you need to do a lot of strength based training, which will come in good stead to defend my title.”
Mosiako threw out a cautionary note though. “The guys are all running well, Precious (Mashele) is in form, Joel (Mmone) has had some good results, so has David (Manja). I train with Elroy (Gelant) and he has recovered well from his hernia operation. So it will be tough. And Namakoe is a fighter, that’s why he holds the course record.”
The 23-year-old Mosiako is showing no ill effects from the horrific attack on him in February this year that saw him hospitalized and came close to costing him his racing career. Recently he finished fourth in the Nelson Mandela Day Marathon 10km in 30:53. “I wanted a top ten, so the fourth place finish was really good for me and show’s I am coming back into the form I had when I won the SA 5000m title last year and the SA Cross Country Trials in January this year. I am confident, but wary. The guys are all in form.”
Nkhasi was being a bit cagey on his chances. The Lesotho athlete was 8th in the half marathon at the Nelson Mandela Day Marathon, clocking 64:02 on a course that sees a steady climb 15km to the finish. “I wasn’t marked in 2016 when I won. Now the athletes know I like tough courses, so they watch me more carefully. It will be tough.”
Both athletes know that they will need to bring their A-game if they are hoping for repeat wins in a race that annually attracts some of the best middle distance athletes in the country.
EVENT INFORMATION: 2018 FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN
Starting in front of FNB Bank City, runners (and walkers) will be treated to a 10km route experience that will highlight iconic landmarks and feature lively performances by a host of Joburg’s leading performing arts groups. Iconic landmarks to look out for will include: the Nelson Mandela Bridge, FNB Bank City, Constitution Hill, Mary Fitzgerald Square, Wits University and Ellis Park Stadium to mention just a few.
| Date: | Monday, 24 September 2018 |
| Start Time: | 08:00 |
| Venue: | Start – FNB Bank City in Johannesburg |
| Finish – Mary Fitzgerald Square | |
| Entry Fee: | Standard Entry: R170 (licensed) / R190 (unlicensed)
Gold Package Entry: R850 (licensed) /R870 (unlicensed) |
| Entries Close: | Monday, 10 September 2018 |
PRIZE PURSE: The 2018 FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN boasts an impressive Prize Purse of R250 000. Prize money has been allocated to the top 10 finishers in the Open Category (male and female). The winner of the 2018 event will take home an impressive R30 000 prize, while the 2nd and 3rd place finishers will take home R17 000 and R13 000 respectively. The top 3 finishers in the junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ categories will take home R3000, R2000 and R1000 respectively. To view the entire Prize Purse breakdown visit the event website: https://bit.ly/2L1iEnv
EXCITING ON ROUTE ACTIVATION: A highlight at the 2017 event, the exciting #ForeverFaster PUMA ‘Beat Bolt’ sprint will once again be the source of much excitement and #FastTimes. Runners will need to give their all over a 100m sprint (as part of the event route). This section of the route will be timed. The runner (male and female) to clock the fastest time over the 100m will take home a PUMA shopping voucher to the value of R10 000.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN will celebrate its 3rd anniversary in 2018. When entering online runners can choose to support one (or all three) of the event’s charities: the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, the Johannesburg SPCA and the Reach For A Dream Foundation.
Facebook: Joburg-10K
Twitter: @joburg10K
Instagram: @Joburg10K
Official hashtag: #J10krun
Website: www.joburg10k.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.
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: FNB Run Your City Series a Stillwater Sports Initiative