'I want to be the first winner' - Precious Mashele getting ready for Absa TSHWANE 10K

After finishing in sixth place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, Precious Mashele wants to return to the podium when he races the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on August 27. South Africa's fastest 10km athlete (27:35) was second behind Kenya's Daniel Ebenyo at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and second again at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K could only watch as he was outgunned during the last 2km in Durban and finished in 28:24 as Kabelo Seboko won the race in 27:56, with Stephen Mokoka and Thabang Mosiako also breaking the 28 minute barrier.

"We needed a fast time, so I went for it. Durban is always fast, so we had to run fast, and I felt I needed to push the pace,” said the Boxer Athletics Club top runner. "Three of my brothers ran Sub-28 so I am happy to have been able to help them run that fast."

Mashele alongside Nicholas Seoposengwe, Stephen Mokoka and Kabelo Seboko at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Photo Credit: Gavin Ryan.

The disappointment of failing to finish on the podium for the first time in the five leg series, means that the Puma ambassador is now hard in training to ensure that he comes out on top in the fourth Absa RUN YOUR CITY series race of 2023 in the capital city. And with the race expected to follow an undulating route that starts and ends at the Union Buildings, the man who took sixteenth place at the World Cross Country Championships in February is confident that his strength will see him through.

"I am training hard for this race and will be ready. I like tough courses. I run well on tough courses. I always like running at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races. “It is the first running of the event, so I want to be the first winner," said the five-time SA Cross Country Champion whose third place finish at the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon in June earned him a spot in the team that will represent the country at the World Half Marathon Championships in October.

Mashele says he wants to win the very first Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. Photo Credit: Gavin Ryan.

Aside from the elite athletes that will be chasing a R30 000 winners prize, there is much on offer for social runners at Absa TSHWANE 10K. Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Michael Meyer, says the entire five city series was conceptualised as way for people to enjoy the rare privilege of running in the city while having a day of fun and celebration.

"We are excited to welcome all runners, elite and social, to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. We are committed to creating an unforgettable experience that inspires a passion for athletics and sparking a culture of health and well-being. In addition to showcasing the beauty of its host city, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K will also provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and compete at the highest

level. We can’t wait to paint the streets of Tshwane red on Sunday 27 August."