Mosiako targets fourth sub 28 at Absa GQEBERHA 10K after taking sixth place at Lisbon Half Marathon

After a breakthrough 2023 which saw him win his first national title and run under 28 minutes for 10km three times, Thabang Mosiako is continuing in that vain in 2024. The reigning SA 21km champion, took sixth place at the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday 17 March in 1:01:42 which was the third fastest 21km clocking of his career. That he managed to run under 62 minutes while running almost the entire race alone is a mark of the maturity of a man who is developing into one of South Africa's best 10km and 21km runners.

"Consistency, consistency, consistency! That’s what we preach in our group," confirms Mosiako. "Coach always tells us to keep consistent and make sure that you stay closer to the time that you ran previously. I can say that consistency is the culture of our group," said the man who delivered the performance of a lifetime when he claimed sixth place at the World Road Running Championships in October in a career best 59:52.

That first half marathon race of the year coupled with his season opening 13:37 new lifetime best at the first Eastern Province Athletics (EPA) League Track Meeting in January paint the picture of a man in good shape. Which is why organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series were excited to announce Mosiako as the latest competitor to confirm his participation in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.

After breaking the 28-minute barrier for the first time in his adopted hometown last year, the 29-year-old is looking forward to returning to the scene of his 2023 triumph. "I’m really excited about the first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of the season because it is a local race (taking place in Gqeberha) for us in the Ikhamva camp and for other runners from the Eastern Cape. We are really excited about the series," says the man who is the holder of a 27:45 personal best set in France last November.

Training under coach Mike Mbambani in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Mosiako’s decision to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K sets up a mouthwatering clash against SA 10km Record Holder Precious Mashele and Kabelo Mulaudzi who have already confirmed their participation in the hotly anticipated race. But Mosiako has downplayed that

showdown saying that he is focused on his own race.

"I’m still trying to shape my PB’s. I will be happy with anything that I can get from the race because it will be my first 10km race of the season,” says Mosiako.

"We are delighted to have Thabang Mosiako join the lineup for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K," Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "His presence adds to the already intense competition, especially considering the friendly rivalry between Mosiako, Precious Mashele, and Kabelo Mulaudzi. This event is set to showcase world-class racing, bringing the excitement of elite competition to the streets of Gqeberha."