World Championship Silver Medallist and SA Record Holder headline FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN

NEWSPORT MEDIA

Seen here:  South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka in action at the 2016 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN (sister event of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN).  Mokoka claimed gold over 12km in the Mother City in an impressive time of 33 minutes 34 seconds.  Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg
Seen here:  South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka in action at the 2016 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN (sister event of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN).  Mokoka claimed gold over 12km in the Mother City in an impressive time of 33 minutes 34 seconds.  Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg

Joshua Cheptegei, the 2017 World Championship 10 000m Silver Medallist and Steven Mokoka, the SA 10km Record Holder are the headline act in the inaugural FNB Durban 10K CITYRSURFRUN on Sunday, 08 October 2017.

The announcement made on Tuesday, 05 September confirms the organiser’s desire to make this race the fastest 10km in the World this year (2017).  Currently the best time set in 2017 is 27:18 behind Bernard Kimeli of Kenya.

“We believe South Africa deserves to see the world’s best compete on our soil, racing against South Africa’s best,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “Having the best athletes in the world competing in South Africa raises the level of competition for our athletes.  This, in turn, raises the performance of our South African athletes.  When these athletes line up in international races, they can do so with confidence. It is a win-win situation. Our athlete’s standards improve and South Africa gets to see the world’s best live.”

With a fast and flat course starting in front of Moses Mabhida Stadium and finishing in the Beachfront Precinct adjacent to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the organisers have pulled out all the stops to ensure a fast race in Durban on 08 October.

Speaking from Kampala (Uganda), Cheptegei is looking forward to racing in Durban. “Durban, I will see you on 08 October. I am looking forward to this and want to run a very fast time. It is a great honour for me to be invited to this race and I will do my best to make sure it is all everyone expects.”

Stephen Mokoka is a regular at the Run Your City Series, having raced in Cape Town where he claimed gold at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN in 2016, and Johannesburg where he placed 7th at the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN also in 2016.  Mokoka relishes the opportunity to race the best in the world on home soil. “We need to show South African’s how good we are.  To be able to do that at home is very important. It helps grow the sport by encouraging more people to run and also inspires our youngsters to believe that they can compete with the best.”

Upon hearing the news that Joshua Cheptegei will be on the start line on 08 October, Mokoka was literally chomping at the bit.  “This is great news.  Joshua is a very good racer.  I competed against him in London at the World Championships in the 10 000m where he finished just behind Mo Farah. It is great that Stillwater Sports is bringing this calibre of athletes to South Africa. It inspires us.”

Mokoka announced that he will be chasing his own SA Record of 27:38. “When we race against these athletes at home, we must put on a show. The course is flat.  With athletes like Joshua Cheptegei in the field, it will be fast.  I think that I can break my own SA Record.” That record was set in Manchester in 2015, when Mokoka finished third at the Great Manchester Run.

World and SA Record Incentive

Mokoka’s declaration promptly resulted in the organisers announcing a record incentive of R300 000 for the first South African athlete to break the National Record and R500 000 for a World Record (26:44 behind the name of Leonard Patrick Komon in 1988). “The athletes are hungry,” says Meyer. “And if they put on a good show they deserve to be rewarded. Imagine a new SA Record or even a World Record run in Durban.  That will make a big statement in South African athletics circles, and is bound to raise the level of competition and hopefully inspire international athletes to race more in South Africa.”

Both Cheptegei and Mokoka were excited when told about the record incentives. “This is good news. When organisers offer these incentives, athletes are sure to put their hearts on the line. You will be treated to showdown in Durban,” says Cheptegei.

Cheptegei boasts a best of 27:46 for the 10km, set in Laredo in 2016.  But it is his impressive rise in performances since then that has the experts excited. Famously leading the World Cross Country Championships this year in front of his home crowd in Kampala, the Ugandan blew spectacularly going from 1st position to 30thin the final kilometre. To cleanse those demons, Cheptegei scorched two personal bests in the 3000m (7:34.96 – Paris, 1 July) and 5000m (12:59,83 – Lausanne, 6 July) before pushing Mo Farah to the line to earn himself that silver medal in the men’s 10 000m at the World Championships where he clocked 26:49.94, shaving 20seconds off his previous best of 27:10.06.

EVENT INFORMATION:

The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN will highlight the true beauty of Durban, while granting entrants the unique opportunity to explore their city.  In addition to exciting on-route entertainment and vibrant event atmosphere, entrants can look forward to exploring iconic landmarks including:  the Moses Mabhida Stadium, City Hall, the Durban Railway Station, The Old Station Building, Durban Harbour, Natal Maritime Museum and the Golden Mile Promenade to mention just a few.

Date: Sunday, 8 October 2017
Time: 08:00
Start Venue: Masabalala Yengwa Street, in front of Moses Mabhida Stadium
Finish Venue: Beachfront Precinct adjacent to Moses Mabhida Stadium
Entry Fee: Standard Entry licensed runner / R160
  Standard Entry unlicensed runner / R180
  Gold Package Entry licensed runner / R650
  Gold Package Entry unlicensed runner / R670
Entries Close Date: Monday 25 September 2017

Charity SupportWhen entering online, runners can choose to support one or all three of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN’s charities:  Durban & Coast SPCA, TREE and The Reach For A Dream Foundation.

Like our Facebook page:  SPCA Durban / TREE-ecd / Reach For A Dream / Durban10k

Follow us on Twitter:  @Durban10k

Follow us on Instagram:  @Durban10k

For more information on the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN email [email protected]

About the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN sponsorship:

FNB Business is proud to be the title sponsor of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. This 10km road running race seeks to bring experienced and novice runners from the city of Durban and surrounds together, through the common goal of road-running, recreation, sports and fun. This sponsorship forms part of our ongoing strategy to support local and community events that focus on a healthy lifestyle, family involvement and impact the communities they operate in positively. It allows us to engage with our clients and the broader community through the memorable experience created by the event. At the core of our strategy is to also support an event like this that contributes towards the rejuvenation, cleaning and revival of the city-center.  As a proudly South African bank, we are proud to be part of a run that celebrates everything about the city of Durban and its diverse cultures.

ENDS

ISSUED BY:                                            Newsport Media

ON BEHALF OF:                                   FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN a Stillwater Sports Event