"I want to be one of the best" - Tladi aims to continue good recent form at Boxer Super Run Joburg
Since joining the Boxer Athletic Club from Entsika AC earlier this year, Modupe Tladi has been in excellent form. Known to many as a 1500m specialist thanks to his 3:42.98 personal best, Tladi has put his disappointing 2025 season behind him, using 2026 to make an impact on the road - an upward trend he aims to continue at the Boxer Super Run Joburg 5km on Sunday 15 November.
“I think the Boxer Super Run is a good event that will really suit me if there are hills,” said Tladi who prevailed over the hot and hilly conditions to win the Region 5 Marathon 5km race at the Union Buildings on 1 November in a personal best 13:53.
Running faster at altitude in the nation’s capital than he did at sea level when he clocked 14:07 to grab eighth position at the Boxer Super Run Durban 5km on 18 October, represents a marked improvement from the 2024 SA 4km Cross Country Champion. Emboldened with the confidence he took from beating the likes of Msawenkosi Mnisi and Zenzile Pheko in Tshwane, Tladi is targeting more success at Marks Park in Emmerentia on Sunday 15 November.
“My goal in Joburg is to finish in the top three, with my ultimate goal being to become one of the best at the Boxer Super Run.”
While Tladi will look to challenge for a podium finish against the likes of defending champion Ryan Mphahlele and Boxer Super Run Durban 5km winner Amogelang Tatai, former SA 5000m champion Precious Mashele will be looking to consolidate his return from injury with a strong showing against younger athletes as he targets his marathon debut next May.
“I am excited to compete in the event because there are so few 5km road races that offer prize money for elite athletes,” says Mashele alluding to the combined purse of R294 400, where the winner pockets R20 000. “I look forward to testing my speed against the young guys who will be out to challenge the established athletes. As I am now getting older, I don’t have the speed of the younger guys, but I am currently training for the Cape Town Marathon. I am hopeful that the strength I gain from marathon training will help me in the latter stages of the race.”
“The route has hills, and I hope my strength on the climbs will give me a chance against the younger guys,” admits Mashele who won the 2024 Boxer Super Run Durban 5km on the occasion of his 34th birthday. “The field is going to be strong and stacked with top South African athletes. As an old soldier, I would be very pleased if I managed to achieve a top-ten finish against the young guns.”
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