'It's been a long time coming' - Mkhize targets Absa DURBAN 10K after breakthrough run at SPAR DURBAN 10km

In the history of Durban leg of Spar Women's 10km race, only Bertha Chikanga in 2018 edition of the race, has managed to lead the race from the start to the finish. On Sunday 22 June, Bathobile Mkhize tried to change that and cause an upset when she made an early charge against a mouthwatering field of top runners including 2024 SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba. Although Mkhize’s challenge for victory only lasted until 3km where Xaba snatched the lead and went on to win the race in an excellent 31:54, the Xcel Running Club youngster nevertheless made her presence felt as she dipped under 35 minutes for the first time to post a remarkable 34:57 for tenth position overall.

"I'm very happy to run a personal best time during Spar race. It something that has been a long time coming, especially this year," she told #TheTopRunner. "I think from the first race of the year, I knew that I was going to have a good season" explains, Mkhize who opened her season with third place 37:11 finish at Best of the Best 10km event on 2 March.

Mkhize lead during the first three kilometres of the Durban leg of the SPAR GRAND PRIX 10km series. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Two weeks later, she ran 35:13 - a personal best then - to win the Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon 10km race, which gave her the reassurance that the a sub 35 minute clocking would soon come.

"Since then, I believed that I could run 34 minutes. Even the way, I was responding to the training, I was positive that good times are going to come. On Sunday, I ran my own race in which I executed perfectly. The fact that I'm growing and improving suggests that there are good performances still to come."

Her newfound confidence has been hard earned because although some may be forgiven for thinking that she is a newcomer to athletics, Mkhize hasn’t had an easy road since she first announced herself as one of the South Africa’s brightest youngsters almost a decade ago. In 2016 she won the SA U23 Steeplechase title in 11:40:63 and further obtained silver in the 10 000m behind overall winner Xaba. Now 28 years old, Mkhize points out the lack of support as one of the reasons that slowed her progress in the senior ranks.

Mkhize's track background has served her well during her transition to the road. Photo Credit: Michael Fransese.

"It is very hard because most of the people are looking or expecting the results without having knowledge of the struggles we go through. To perform at your best, you need a support structure to guide you to success. There are lot of things needed in order to perform. I'm grateful that I have managed to pick up again and am starting to deliver," explains Mkhize who is coached by Ayanda Mncube.

With the hardships of the past now behind her and the support of the elite development Xcel Running Club, Mkhize can focus on competing against the best. She has her sights set on a good showings during next month's Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K scheduled for July 13. "The Sunday's performance is a huge motivation for me. My focus turns to the Absa race next month. I need to run well there and I must conduct proper training in order to have a good race."