Uganda\u2019s Stella Chesang, the 2018 Commonwealth Games 10 000m champion will return to South Africa on Sunday,\u00a0 14 October to take on country woman and FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN defending champion, Mercyline Chelangat.<\/p>\n
Chesang complained of fatigue when she ran the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN in May earlier this year, where she finished 3rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 However, the 21-year-old is shaping up to impressive form as she prepares for Durban. On 02 September, Chesang took a massive 10 seconds off of her 10km PB when she clocked 31:44 in Tilburg (Netherlands), and with five weeks from that race to prepare, she feels confident for Durban.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the Commonwealth Games I was tired and in Cape Town I was not in the shape that I wanted to be in. Now, however, I am preparing hard for Durban and the 10km PB has me very excited. I know that Mercyline (Chelangat) knows the route and therefore has the advantage, but I am confident in my abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n Chesang and Chelangat met in the 10 000m final at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane where she won with Chelangat finishing 3rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 They met again at the Africa Championships in Asaba in August where they finished 4th<\/sup> and 5th<\/sup> respectively (32:29.54 \u2013 32:36.39). If Chesang beats Chelangat in Durban, this will be the third consecutive victory over her country woman in 2018. Both are shaping up to be in peak form come 14 October.<\/p>\n Add in an inform Irvette van Zyl and you have all the ingredients of an epic race on 14 October. Van Zyl has been in impressive form since giving birth to her second son in July and after this past weekend feels confident of becoming only the third South African woman to break 32 minutes for the 10km. \u201cI am clearly in better shape than I thought,\u201d said van Zyl after her win at the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN on Heritage Day, 24 September. \u201cWith Stella (Chesang) and Mercyline (Chelangat) in the field this has to be a good opportunity for me to go under 32 minutes, both are fast over the 10km and I am looking forward to the chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Zyl had clocked her second best time ever over 10km on Sunday, 23 September (32:48) in Cape Town, before flying to Johannesburg that evening to line up for the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN. She not only won, but duly shattered the course record of 35:34, crossing the line in 33:51.<\/p>\n With all three athletes coming into shape leading up to 14 October, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN is shaping up to be a big battle indeed and could well see the fastest 10km ever run in South Africa.<\/p>\n EVENT INFORMATION<\/u>:\u00a0 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN Celebrating its 2nd<\/sup> anniversary in 2018, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN grants entrants the unique opportunity to explore their city on foot.\u00a0 In addition to lively on-route entertainment and rubbing shoulders with some of the world\u2019s best middle distance runners, the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN route will also highlight a number of Durban\u2019s iconic landmarks.<\/p>\n
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