Fireworks expected at HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN 10KM as organisers shell out the money for a new SA Record

As one of the fastest 10km races in South Africa, the HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN 10KM promises some lightning fast times on Sunday 29 September. In an attempt to produce the fastest time ever run on SA soil, organisers have assembled a mouth-watering field for the fourth edition of the popular event. Besides the race paying a whopping R37 500 to both the male and female winners, there is an additional R50 000 on offer for any athlete that can go beyond the SA 10km record. The men's 27:35 record belongs to Precious Mashele, while Glenrose Xaba set the women's mark of 31:12 in July this year. 

Mulaudzi, Gelant and Mosiako who finished on the podium in that order during the 2023 edition of the race are all back again for the 2024 HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN 10KM. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

The contenders in the men's race include four-time Olympian and former SA 10km record holder (27:38) Stephen Mokoka, Thabang Mosiako who dipped under 28 minutes three times last season, reigning SA 10km Cross Country Champion and defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi and 3-time Olympian Elroy Gelant who is the holder of a 27:47 personal best. Speaking to the press conference held at Riverside Hotel earlier this morning (27 September), Mulaudzi who won the race in 28:01 last year, believes that this is one of the fastest 10km courses in the country. 

"I would say the route is nice," he told members of the media who had gathered for the pre-race press conference. "It's flat and fast. But I won't put myself under pressure by saying I will defend my title. I just want to finish inside the top three. Last year, it was the best season in my career. Then I told myself, I would love to remain consistent this year by getting continuing with my podium finishes," said the man who secured third place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day.

Gelant talks about going sub 28 at the HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN 10KM. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

At the same time, 29-year-old Mosiako, who boasts a 27:45 lifetime best and once again dipped under 28 minutes at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July, believes that a Sub-28 clocking is possible because Durban always delivers.

"In the past, I was running a lot of 28 and 29 minutes 10km. Then I realised that in order for me to run 27 minutes, it requires a lot of milage. I decided to put in more mileage in my  training and remain consistent. After that running 27 has become so easy. I believe the course is good for us to run 27 minutes again on Sunday."

Oldknow, Khatala, Sosibo, Lethu Letsoalo and Kavanagh are looking forward to the HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN 10K. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

In the women's race, the battle for the top honours will be on defending Champion Cian Oldknow, Lesotho's 10km national record holder Neheng Khatala, former SA 10k Champion Tayla Kavanagh and Cacisile Sosibo. Sosibo who has a lifetime best of 32:27 over 10k set in the last year's edition of the race, is hopeful that the top class lineup of athletes assembled for the race will propel her to greater heights.

"In 2022, I won the race in 33 minutes flat. Then last year, I came back to run 32:27 which was my personal best time. I believe with the talented runners assembled like Tayla and Cian, there is a huge possibility that we can run the fast time. So I'm going to stick to the leading bunch from the start and see how it turns out in the end," she said.