top of page
BALWIN SPORT JEPPE MARATHON.jpg
Writer's pictureMosibodi Whitehead

'I don't feel any pressure' - Defending champion Mulaudzi looks for another podium at Absa TSHWANE 10K

When they toe the start line against one another, elite athletes generally line up as rivals. But what is often overlooked is how many of them are friends, training partners and teammates. Kabelo Mulaudzi for example, who enjoyed a breakout 2023 season when he ran under 28 minutes for 10km for the first time in his life, had to defeat a close friend to achieve the feat. The man from Alexandra Township ran 27:56 to win last year's Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K before clinching the win in the nation’s capital just over a month later.


Mulaudzi admits that winning the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in a thrilling sprint finish against Precious Mashele remains one of the highlights of his career. "It was not easy to sprint against Precious Mashele because I learned so much from him when we trained together at Zoo Lake. But last year was the best season ever in my career."


Mulaudzi triumphs over Mashele in a sprint finish to win the 2023 Absa rUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in 29:12, with Mashele taking second in 29:14. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

In many ways, 2024 is looking a lot like 2023 for the 26-year-old because just as he did last year, he has again clocked a sub 28 minute 10km ahead of the showdown in Tshwane. This time, the Boxer Athletic Club top runner took second place behind Elroy Gelant at the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 7 July in a personal best 27:53. That this performance came after injury threatened to derail his 2024 season leaves Mulaudzi confident in his chances of successfully defending his title at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, 25 August.


"That sub-28 in Durban boosted my confidence because it shows me that I’m still at the same level as last year. I broke my personal best by three seconds. So even when I train, I’m happy and I train with confidence," explained the 2023 SA 10km Cross Country Champion.


Mulaudzi, Mashele and Elroy Gelant go head to head during the the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in 2023. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Likely to line up against Mashele again later this month as the race's defending champion, the man who is coached by Richard Mayer says he is not thinking about his opposition but rather intends to focus on his own race, adding that he is up for the challenge. "I don’t feel any pressure to win the race because any race is a new race. I respect each athlete I’m racing against. If I defend my title, it will be a bonus for me. I would be happy to finish on the podium again, like I did in Durban. I’m going to try my best. I’m looking forward to running again in Tshwane."


"We are excited to welcome Kabelo Mulaudzi back to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in August to defend his title," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "Kabelo always arrives at an event ready to race, and this was clearly evident in Durban in July where he finished the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in under 28 minutes. We wish him the best of luck as he competes in Tshwane. It’s fantastic to see South Africa’s elite athletes performing so well at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, and Kabelo is a shining example of the talent and determination that make these events so special."

119 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page