The two-time Olympian is rightly confident after producing 2:08:56 at the Sevilla Marathon last month to come within 46 seconds of automatic qualification for what would be a third consecutive Olympic appearance. Gelant says his 42km performance has laid a good base for the year ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to this year,\u201d admits Gelant. \u201cI started off my season with a marathon PB. That laid a foundation for me going forward in 2024 because it showed me that I can achieve what I put my mind to. I\u2019m looking forward to a positive year\u201d.<\/p>\n
It is a bold target for a man who at 37 years of age is entering the twilight of his career. But after a fabulous 2023 season that saw him set new personal bests over 10km and the half marathon (1:00:56), Gelant is feeling confident, particularly with the confirmation that several 27-minute performers such as Precious Mashele, Thabang Mosiako, and Kabelo Mulaudzi will run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.<\/p>\n \u201cMy performance over the last six months is just a blessing,\u201d states Gelant. \u201cTo have run three PB\u2019s, especially at this age is a blessing. I think we have a few phenomenal athletes that can pull me to that sub-28. It\u2019s going to be a fantastic race with an adapted route, so we are looking forward to some fast times.\u201d<\/p>\n One of those phenomenal athletes to whom Gelant alludes is Kenya\u2019s Maxon Kipngetich. The 10 000m athlete leads the East African charge in his first official road race. After his compatriot Daniel Ebenyo won last year\u2019s inaugural race in 27:21, Kipngetich says he would love to follow in the fast footsteps of his more illustrious countryman.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a good race,\u201d says Kipngetich<\/em><\/strong>. \u201cI\u2019ve seen people like Ebenyo run and it opened their careers. I want the same. I want to expand my career to run from 5km to 21km in the near future. I want to expand my range starting here with the 10km. I\u2019m aiming to set a good start in the Absa race. 27:50 – 27:59 will be a good start for me.\u201d<\/p>\n “Elroy Gelant and Maxon Kipngetich bring a wealth of experience and talent to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder<\/em><\/strong>. “Their presence not only raises the level of competition but also adds a layer of excitement and prestige to the event, highlighting its growing reputation as a top-tier road race. We’re also thrilled to witness Maxon’s debut in the series and look forward to celebrating his milestone in Gqeberha.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n EVENT INFORMATION<\/u><\/strong>: <\/strong>2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Standard Entry:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Licenced Runners R245.00<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Temp Licence: R30.00<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Standard Entry Includes<\/u>:<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa Drawstring Bag<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa Peak Cap<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa Socks<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Race Number with Timing Chip<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amazing Sponsor Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lively Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pre and Post Event Entertainment<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher\u2019s Medal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/p>\n PRIZE PURSE<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong> The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series <\/strong>will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse<\/strong> of R 1,560,000.00<\/strong> in 2024<\/strong>. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000. Within this allocation, R252,000 will be earmarked for the Open Category, with R126,000 dedicated to the Top 10 Open Men and R126,000 to the Top 10 Open Women. Additionally, R60,000 will be designated for Age Categories. The top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers. The Age Category Prize Purse will be distributed among the top three finishers in each of the Junior, 40 \u2013 49, 50 \u2013 59, 60 \u2013 69, and 70+ Age Categories. To view the complete Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.runyourcityseries.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n SA ATHLETE PRIZE INCENTIVES<\/u><\/strong>: <\/strong>The \u201cSA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule\u201d is applicable to all five iconic races in the series in 2024 and will offer bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men\u2019s category, bonuses start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R 200,000.00 bonus awaiting anyone who breaks the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses will start for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with a remarkable R200,000.00 incentive being awarded if the 30:23 barrier is broken.<\/p>\n To further elevate the excitement, an additional R50k is on the table for any South African athlete who breaks the current SA 10km record.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Facebook: <\/strong>@Gqeberha10k \/ @CapeTown10k \/ @Durban10k \/ @Tshwane10k \/ @Joburg10k<\/p>\n<\/a>
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\n 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Sunday 07 April 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n Start & Finish Venue<\/u>: Beach Road, Kings Beach, Humewood, Gqeberha<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n Start Time<\/u>: 07:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n Entry Fee<\/u>:<\/p>\n \n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Sunday 12 May 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Sunday 07 July 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Sunday 25 August 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Tuesday 24 September 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n