'I'm not in a rush to win' - Mosiako looking forward to Two Oceans after 27 min at Absa GQEBERHA 10K
In becoming only the third South African to run under 28 minutes for 10km on home soil, Thabang Mosiako confirmed what many already knew - that he is a runner of considerable ability. His triumph over 5000m at the 2017 National Track and Field Championships were thought to be the beginning of that upward trajectory, but life and the excesses of youth intervened. So he took a bold step to get back on track, moving from his home in Potchefstroom in the North West Province to join Mike Mbambani's training group in Gqeberha where the results have started to come.
"The group that I'm training with now is very supportive and I'm very happy," said the man who trains alongside reigning SA Half Marathon Champion Melikhaya Frans. "Even my coach is not like any coach I've had. He's like a father to me. He always motivates me and he's always with the guys. If he sees you off-ramping he will tell you to gat back in your lane. I'd like to thank all the guys. They are so supportive. We have worked as a group."
That work actually began in 2021 when Mosiako first moved to The Friendly City. A 62-minute half marathon clocking and a 45:11 15km personal best signalled what was to come. And it came in 2022 when the 28-year-old betred his 10km lifetime best twice in three months. First he produced 28:43 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and then went to on dip under 28:30 for the first time with a 28:26 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. But as good as those performances were, his 27:53 at the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in a race where Precious Mashele broke the national 10km record was simply in another class.
"I can say I've made history and I'm very happy. It's a massive PB for me and I'm really happy. We've been working. I can say we started around working early December when we started the training camp. What was on my mind was that Absa is coming to PE and PE is very nice. I remember running my half marathon PB here in Gqeberha (1:01:59) so I wanted to do the same. That's why I was targeting that 28:15 but eish...God blessed me with a 27," he told #TheTopRunner.
With that run, the Nedbank Running Club athlete has shot up into the top four on the South African All Time 10km list which means that he will have a target on his back when he lines up at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon on Sunday. Mosiako though is less concerned about winning the race saying he remains focused on his goal of gradual improvement.
"I'm gonna run Two Oceans. So I can say that I'm in great shape for Two Oceans. I'm fit so I'm ready for Two Oceans. Maybe if I can get first three there I can be happy. I'm not in a rush to win. I'm just trying to push my times so that I can be there with the guys. Because these guys are too fast for me and I'm just trying to develop myself. Just like last year how I did it with 10km. So still in 21km, I'm gonna do the same thing. I'm not going to rush and everything will come," he smiled.