Uganda’s Stephen Kissa and young sensation Ryan Mphahlele are guaranteed to put on a show in Durban on Sunday, 14 October 2018 when they return to take on the 2nd annual FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
Making his debut on the road over 10km at the inaugural FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN in 2017, Kissa ran 28:05 for second place (behind Joshua Cheptegei). While still a junior, Mphahlele ran 33:37. Both will be back this year. Both have improved immensely and both should give spectators and fans something to look forward to come Sunday, 14 October.
Kissa has already fired some warning shots with an incredibly consistent track season, culminating in a new PB over the 5000m of 13:10.93 in Lausanne (Switzerland) in July.
Mphahlele on the other hand made his debut over 5000m in September this year clocking 14:00.09 in what was effectively a time trial for the 20-year-old with no real opposition. It is however, the fastest 5000m run in South Africa this year. Take into account Mphahlele’s phenomenal season both in South Africa and abroad and his incredible never say die attitude, and you have all the ingredients for something special just waiting to happen in Durban.
Kissa has been in training since his track season came to an end at the Africa Championships in Assaba. His season is, however, very similar to that of 2017 where upon completion of the track season in August, he went back into training to prepare for the road season. The result was his 28:05 in his first road race of the year. Now with a new PB in the 5000m, one can expect Kissa to look to go under 28 min, not an unrealistic expectation.
“I have had a good season so far, having raced sparingly. My training has gone well and I am excited to see what I can do in Durban. After my 5000m PB, I am hoping to break 28 minutes and am confident that if the conditions are right, then that will happen,” said Kissa.
Mphahlele’s season followed a very similar route. His track season came to an end in July, a season that saw personal bests clocked in the 800m, 1500m, mile and 3000m. Mphahlele went back into training to prepare for the South Africa Cross Country Championships in September where he annihilated a quality field in the U23 4km race. Shortly after that came the 5000m PB, showing that he is gearing up to perfect form for the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
“2018 was a really good year for me,” said Mphahlele. “I like to push in the races. I like the aggressive running style and that was a big difference when I took on Joshua (Cheptegei) in the 3000m in April”.
Mphahlele chased the world championship 10 000m silver medallist until the final lap before Cheptegei broke away. In the process though he dragged Mphahlehle to an incredible of 7:59.77 over 3000m, a time he would later improve by 6 seconds.
“I am a confident runner, but that gave me extra confidence in my ability and since then I have upped my performance level. Last year in Durban I was not fit. This year it is a different story. My focus is still the 1500m/5000m for the foreseeable future, but I am excited about Durban. I am in good shape, especially after that 5000m debut. So I expect to run a good time in Durban.”
Mphahlele is confident that he will run under 29 minutes. While his time in Durban was not the best in 2017, claiming to have been unfit and hoping for a top three in the juniors, Mphahlele has a best of 30:31 to his name which he ran at the National Championships in 2016. Some of the more establish 10km runners should be worried.
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 |
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