"I know I am capable of running sub 28" - Tshite and Kavanagh triumph at Hollywoodbets Durban 10k

Although strong winds prevented record-breaking times, Tayla Kavanagh produced yet another sub 31:40 clocking to win the women's race, while the men's race provided rich entertainment as Tshepo Tshite was forced to use all of his 1500m finishing speed to win the sixth edition of the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km today (30 August).

Running in the colours of the host club, Kavanagh led a 1-2 finish for the Hollywood Athletics Club as she recovered from an early fall to romp home in 31:39. Fellow Hollywood AC athlete Neheng Khatala of Lesotho was second across the finish line in 32:01, while Boxer Athletic Club top runner Karabo Mailula rounded out the podium with an encouraging 33:01 as she continues her recovery from a knee injury.

Kavanagh celebrates her fourth 10km victory of the season. Photo Credit: Michael Fragoeiro Photography.

Even though she finished outside Glenrose Xaba's SA 10km Record of 31:12, 25-year-old Kavanagh who is the reigning SA 5000m and 10 000m champion and the holder of a 31:26 10km lifetime best, draws confidence from her fifth sub 31:40 10km result of 2026.

"I went through my first 5km a little fast," Kavanagh told members of the media during the post-race press conference at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium. "I think the fall kinda threw me. I tried to pick up my momentum as soon as I got back up, but then the wind was a bit stronger in the second half which slowed us down. So maybe on a good day without the wind I could have targeted the SA Record. The SA Record that Glenrose holds is definitely something I want to get. I respect it. Patience is key. I know it will come when the time is right."

The men's race was a much more open affair as Kenya's Stephen Ngigi Kangethe, on his SA debut, came close to winning the race after boldly taking the lead just after the halfway mark. It took a telling final surge from the chasing bunch and a determined final kick from SA 1500m record holder Tshite to defeat the Nedbank Running Club athlete. Tshite won the race in 28:18 to Kangethe's 28:21 as Kabelo Mulaudzi secured his first major 10km podium finish of the season.

Tshite defeated a number of 10km specialists to win the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Running in only his second official 10km race following his third place finish (28:09) at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 1 March, the Phantane AC top runner who is coached by Samuel Sepeng and does some of his distance training with Stephen Mokoka, says the wind cost him a maiden 27 minute 10km clocking.

"I know I am capable of running sub 28. But the most important thing is to keep learning how to run 10km. Remember that road and track are not the same and I come from the 800m as I slowly go up in distance. It seems I have bad luck with the wind whenever I run 10km races. But nevertheless, I'm glad with the way things went."