SA Incentive Scheme leads to an impressive prize purse pay-out at FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN

Seen here:  Stephen Mokoka (Photo Credit:  Jetline Action Photo) and Irvette van Zyl (Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg)
Seen here:  Stephen Mokoka (Photo Credit:  Jetline Action Photo) and Irvette van Zyl (Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg)

The 2nd annual FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on Sunday, 14 October 2018 saw some rich pickings for a number of South African athletes with event organisers preparing to pay-out just  under R100 000 as a result of the lucrative incentive scheme announced the Monday prior to the event.

“The SA Incentive Scheme definitely served its purpose,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports.  “The goal was to motivate South African runners to continue improving on SA soil.  These runners definitely had the crowd on the edge of their seats on Sunday with the result speaking for itself.  Eight male runners (including Stephen Mokoka, Ryan Mphahlele and Elroy Gelant) and three female runners (Irvette Van Zyl, Glenrose Xaba and Gerda Steyn) qualified for the additional pay-out.  We are proud to be able to use the FNB Run Your City Series as an incentive to motivate South African runners to continue improving.  We look forward to welcoming them back in 2019 when the new season kicks off on Sunday, 19 May 2019 with the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.”

Irvette van Zyl coming off an incredible winning streak, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN was her 5th consecutive impressive performance after the birth of her second son in June, secured the biggest pay out. Van Zyl raced to a massive personal best of 32:06 for 3rd overall and pocketed a massive R20 000 for dipping under 32 min 29 sec. Add to that the R13 000 for 3rd and van Zyl makes off with the tidy sum of R33 000.

Stephen Mokoka was the next big winner after crossing the line in 6th overall as first South African. Three weeks after running a fast marathon, arguably the best male in middle distance running in South Africa at present, Mokoka flew across the finish line in Durban, clocking 28:18. This was his only 10km road race of the year. His sub 28:30 netted Mokoka R20 000 incentive to go with the R6000 prize for 6th place.

For 20-year-old sensation, Ryan Mphahlele from Tembisa, Sunday 14 October was arguably one of his richest paydays ever as he ran away with a total R16 000. In only his 4th ever 10km race, Mphahlele smashed his personal best of 30:13 (run in 2016) to finish 8th overall, clocking an incredible 28:46. That 8th place finish was worth R4000 to him, but the sub 29 minute effort earned him a bonus of R12 000.

Glenrose Xaba capped off an incredible 2018 where she consistently finished in the top 5 of every race she had entered this year with a cash injection of R14 000 from the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.  Xaba ran her second best time of 2018, crossing the line 4th in 33:14. Finishing between 33:00 and 33:29 earned Xaba a cash bonus of R6000 to go with the R8000 for 4th place giving her a total of R14 000.

EVENT INFORMATION:  FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN  

Celebrating its 2nd anniversary in 2018, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN granted 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 also highlighted a number of Durban’s iconic landmarks.

Date: Sunday, 14 October 2018
Start Time: 07:00
Start Venue: Blue Lagoon (Athlone Drive)
Finish Venue: Beachfront Precinct (near The Bike and Bean)

 The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN was proudly hosted by KZN Athletics. 

CHARITY SUPPORTWhen entering online runners (and walkers) could 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 PURSEThe FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN boasted with a whopping Prize Purse of R250 000 in 2018.  Prize Money was 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 was also allocated to the top three finishers in the junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ age group categories.

EXCITING NEWSWilson Kipketer, former 800m world record holder, participated in the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on Sunday, 14 October 2018.  Kipketer who is employed by race sponsor, PUMA and won gold at three successive World Championships, was brought to SA to inspire runners to bring their best to the event.

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