Mulaudzi confirms participation to set up clash against Mashele at Absa GQEBERHA 10K

Despite the quality of star-studded lineup that had assembled to race for the Athletics South Africa 10km Championships at the Race to Equality on Sunday (10 March), the start list was incomplete without the defending champion. Precious Mashele who had won the title in Mbombela in 2023 was absent at Marks Park this weekend, leaving the road running public wondering what might have been.

But after announcing that he will be running the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 7 April, man of the moment Kabelo Mulaudzi has now set up a mouthwatering clash against the national record holder (27:35) that was missed at the 10km champs.

Muluadzi winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in a sprint finish. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

"My plan is to focus on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. If I manage to qualify for the Olympic Games that will be a bonus for me. I don’t want to confuse my season - my main priority is to do well in these Absa races," said the man who finished on the podium at the Motsepe Foundation event on Sunday.

The last time that Mulaudzi and Mashele faced off in a 10km road race was during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (in August 2023), where the younger Mulaudzi triumphed over his friend and rival by just two seconds in a sprint finish. However, this time around, Mulaudzi is less focused on his competitors than he is on the stopwatch and taking advantage of the SA Athlete Prize Incentive Scheme which rewards athletes with anything from R60 000 to R200 000 depending on how fast they can run.

Mashele celebrates after setting a national 10km record at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in April 2023. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

"Our standard of 10km running is improving. The bonuses that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race organisers have announced for South African runners are a motivation for us to work harder and run faster. I think we can run 27 minutes again. My plan though is to improve on my personal best of 27:56 and if I can run the SA Record it would be a bonus."

"We are thrilled to see top athletes like Kabelo Mulaudzi and Precious Mashele go head-to-head at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2024," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "Their rivalry promises an action-packed race that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. With the impressive prize purse and

SA athlete incentives on offer, we expect to see some incredible performances that showcase the best of South African middle-distance running."