'When I run with the East Africans I run fast times' - Mashele targets third straight RYC podium at Absa CAPE TOWN 10K
While it may appear to some that he has surrendered some of the 10km and half marathon dominance he enjoyed in 2021, Precious Mashele remains one of South Africa;s most consistent top runners. For example in 2023, the man nicknamed The Machine, claimed three second place finishes in four starts at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races in Gqeberha, Cape Town and Tshwane.
And after claiming yet another podium position (this time third place) at the opening event of the 2024 series in Gqeberha, the man who set a national record of 27:35 at the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K is eagerly anticipating the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 12 May 2024. Fresh from his bronze medal win in the 5000m event at the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships on Saturday (20 April), Mashele has confirmed his readiness to tackle the iconic 10km race in the Mother City.
"I’m happy with my bronze medal at the Championships because the race was very tough. I’m very happy with what I got," he said of his 13:35.19 finish behind winner Adriaan Wildschutt and silver medalist Elroy Gelant at the Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. "My fitness is coming around. Although I’m not where I want to be yet, I can say I’m at about 70% of where I should be. But I’ve got momentum and I think it’s only a matter of time before I get the shape I want."
Despite not being as fit as he’d like to be yet, the PUMA ambassador still managed to claim a top eight finish (13:46.19) in a hot and humid 5000m final at the African Games in Ghana in March and then followed that up with a dogged third place (28:19) in The Friendly City earlier this month. Running in the colours of Boxer Athletics Club, Mashele represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics and is confident that he can translate that track fitness into good results in a road running series where he has claimed four podium finishes in his last five starts.
The man who is coached by Hendrick Ramaala believes he tends to perform well during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because the organisers invite world class athletes who make it easier for him to run faster. It is for this reason that he is excited to be part of the Absa CAPE TOWN 10K on Mothers' Day. "When I run with the East Africans I run fast times and I run away from the South Africans. So for me, it’s a good opportunity to run with the East Africans," adds Mashele.
"We're thrilled to have Precious line up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 12 May,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "His performance at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K earlier this month and at the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships this past weekend showcased his incredible talent, and we're excited to see him bring that energy to the streets of the Mother City. Mashele's presence adds to the elite field and further elevates the competitive spirit of the event. We wish him the best of luck as he takes on this iconic race."