Seen here: The elite men’s field in action at the 2019 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Twenty-year old Joel Ayeko from Uganda is hoping to make an impact at the 2019 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday, 19 May 2019.
Ayeko is a relatively new comer to the sport, making his first appearance in 2016 at the Pettinengo 9.6km race in Italy, where he finished 14th behind illustrious names such as multiple World Champion, Ezekiel Kemboi and Jacob Kiplimo.
Ayeko did not race in 2017, but was back on the roads in 2018 winning first the Mastboscreda Cross Country Race in January, and then the Parelloop 10km in March where he ran 29:06. Seven months later he brought that time down to 28:49 which is his current personal best.
Ayeko is one of those athletes who strongly believes that Cross Country is a very important part of building a middle distance runner’s career and has already lined up in two races this year, placing 5th at the National Ugandan Cross Country Trials in February, before going on to finish 10th at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark on 30 March.
That result in Denmark speaks volumes. Have a look at the names that finished ahead of Ayeko. The world title was won by Joshua Cheptegei, the 15km World Record Holder. Jacob Kiplimo, the 10 000m World Junior Champion silver medalist of 2018 was second. Two-time winner and two-time World Half Marathon Champion, Geoffrey Kamworor was third. The second fastest ever runner over 10km, Rhonex Kipruto could only finish 7th. So this was an incredible run by one so young and new to the sport.
“I am excited to come to Cape Town. I have heard lots of good things about the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN from my fellow countrymen from Uganda and know that this is a fast race with great competition. So if I can run well here, then I know I am improving all the time,” said Ayeko. “I know about the fast finish in the final kilometer and am preparing for it.”
This will be the 5th running of the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN and already the race has established itself on the international circuit with a World Best Time of 33:27 set in 2017 by Morris Gachaga and now in 2019, being awarded Bronze Label Status. By being awarded the Label Status, the race needs to ensure that an international field consisting of a minimum of six men and six women is assembled.
For label status, the athletes must be in the top 1 – 350 as explained below:
In the “Road Running” event group (men and women):
Men ranked 1-100 and women ranked 1-100 >>> Gold status
Men ranked 101-220 and women ranked 101-220 >>> Silver status
Men ranked 221-350 and women ranked 221-350 >>> Bronze status
“By working hard to bring these international athletes to South Africa, we are sure to raise the standard of South Africa’s athletes to the international level,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports. “By not having to travel long distances, our athletes are immediately at an advantage. Look at how the likes of Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant, Desmond Mokgobu and Precious Mashele have improved by being exposed to international competition. This is what we are hoping to do here in South Africa with the Absa Run Your City Series.”
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN
| Date: | Sunday, 19 May 2019 |
| Start Venue: | Woodbridge Island, c/o R27 and Loxton Road, Milnerton (Cape Town) |
| Finish Venue: | Bree Street (Cape Town, CBD) |
| Entry Fee: | Standard Entry: R185 (licensed) / R225 (unlicensed)
Gold Package Entry: R850 (licensed) / R890 (unlicensed) |
| Entries Close: | Monday, 06 May 2019 |
Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to make a monetary donation towards either or all four of the Absa Cape Town ONERUN Charities: 1. help2read, 2. Cotlands, 3. Die Burger Kinderfonds and 4. The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA.
This year each event charity has also been allocated x100 entries which will be available at R500 each. When entering online, runners can choose this specific entry option. The proceeds will go directly to the selected charity.
Facebook: Ctown12 / @help2read / Cotlands / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA / Die Burger Kinderfonds
Twitter: @CTown12 /@help2read / @Cotlands / @CapeSPCA
Instagram: CapeTown_12 /help2readsouthafrica / Cotlands / CapeSPCA
Hashtag: #AbsaRunYourCity
Website: www.thecapetown12.com
About the Absa Run Your City Series:
Absa is proud to once again bring you the Absa Run Your City Series which comprises of three unique mass participation events that integrate business involvement, family, diversity, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants, both individuals and businesses alike.
Each of the races are developed to take participants through the historical routes around each city, thereby adding a tourism element to each race, making it more than a race but an economic opportunity for each community.
The Absa Run Your City Series is made up of three races around South Africa, namely, the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN, the Absa Joburg 10K CITYRUN and the Absa Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
For further information please visit www.runyourcityseries.com
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Absa Run Your City Series a Stillwater Sports Initiative