If having the defending champion, Joshua Cheptegei and South Africa’s Thabang Mosiako, Phillimon Mathiba and sensation Ryan Mphahlele in the line-up for the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN isn’t exciting enough, Kenya’s John Langat and South Africa’s Elroy Gelant have also confirmed their entry to the race on Sunday, 14 October 2018.
Langat was third at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN on 20 May this year and is no stranger to his opposition. With a 10km best of 27:58 run in Appingedam (Netherland) in 2015, Langat has the speed to mount a challenge for the podium in Durban. His 33:47 in Cape Town on 20 May came off the back of running a marathon on 6 May (2:14.59 – Skopje, Macedonia). Since then, the 21-year-old has gone back into training and has been preparing hard for the Durban race.
“I have been working hard for Durban. I know it is a fast course and I know that Josh (Joshua Cheptegei) is in great form, so I am expecting a fast race. I want to break my PB and I think Durban will be one of the best chances I have to do so,” said Langat from Kenya.
Langat’s pedigree is such that he needs to be taken seriously on race day. To go with his 10km PB of 27:58, Langat also boasts a best of 60:24 for the half marathon, which he ran earlier this year at the Venloop Half Marathon in Holland (25 March 2018). He also boasts a 45:37 best for 10 miles (16km) run in Tilburg, Holland in 2015.
Elroy Gelant will be keen to improve on his 5th place in Durban from last year where he crossed the line in 29:12. It has been a difficult year for the 32-year-old Human Resources Assistant after having struggled with a hernia in December last year. Gelant had the necessary operation in April after finishing the SA Track season. But his lack of base work has cost him and as such his performances have not consistently been up to his usual high quality. That he has the pedigree and temperament to race hard on 14 October and to push for a podium, is a given. Despite little to no base work, Gelant finished second at the SA Half Marathon Championships in PE in July, clocking an impressive 61:48 (PB of 61:10 – Copenhagen, 2014). He showed he was coming back to his old form by finishing 6th at the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN, clocking 30:22 on a tough course.
“It has been a difficult time since the op in April, but I am happy with my progress and I know that come Durban, I will be in really good shape. I want to end my season on a high and Durban is the perfect place to do that. So I will be challenging for a podium,” said Gelant. “It is great to have these top guys from overseas coming to race us here. It means we don’t have to travel, but it also means that the people in Durban get to see some of the best in the world in real life. That’s really good for the sport and really good for us as South African athletes. So I am excited.”
With Joshua Cheptegei, Ryan Mphahlele, Thabang Mosiako, John Langat and Elroy Gelant already committed to racing in Durban on 14 October and more athletes expected to be named, there is no doubt that the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN will be the race to end off the year – and with the form Cheptegei is in, expect another fast time, maybe even a new course record.
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