Mkhwanazi targets top five at Absa JOBURG 10K after strong run at Hollywoodbets Durban 10km

After delivering yet another 28 minute 10km clocking, Bongelani Mkhwanazi has set his sights on a strong performance at the final Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race of the year. Mkhwanazi ran 28:35 to take fifth position at the Hollywood Durban 10k race on Saturday 30 August at Kingsmead Stadium. It was Mkhwanazi’s sub-29 minute clocking this season following 28:50 in the Absa Run Your City Gqerbeha earlier this year. He followed up that performance with a personal best time 28:21 clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and is now aiming to chive his best RYC result of the year at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on September 24. 

Mkhwanazi taking the KZNA 10km title at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

"I'm very happy with the time I achieved at the Hollywood race. I prepared much better for this event over the past two months. I had a feeling the race would be fast," said Mkhwanazi, who earned R15,000 for his fifth-place finish and an additional R1,000 for being the first KwaZulu-Natal athlete since the race incorporated the Provincial 10km Championship.

"In the first 2km of the race, I focused on listening to my body and avoiding the temptation to make an early move. Kamohelo Mofolo surprised everyone, and it was impossible to catch him. My goal was to stay with the chasing group, which included Thabang Mosiako and Kabelo Mulaudzi. I reached the halfway mark in 13:54, which is the fastest halfway 10km split I’ve ever recorded in my career. The second half was a bit tougher, but I managed to maintain my pace."

Mkhwanazi in action in the Absa RUN YOU CITY SERIES. He is looking to finish his season strongly at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

Mkhwanazi is making a comeback after nearly three months away from competitive racing following a doping ban. Earlier this year, he finished ninth in the Gqeberha leg of the much-loved 10km series and then improved to eighth position in The Mother City n Mother’s Day. With those challenges now behind him, the 28-year-old is concentrating on finishing the year strong in the City of Gold, where he believes he is capable of achieving a top five finish.

"My next big race is the Absa Johannesburg race, where I’m targeting the top 10. But my main focus is on breaking into the top five. I also want to achieve a great time to close the year on a high note," Mkhwanazi said.