Seen here: Mokoka claiming victory in Bree Street Cape Town in an impressive time of 33 minutes 34 seconds at the 2016 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Stephen Mokoka is looking to reclaim his title at the 2018 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday, 20 May 2018.
In 2016, Mokoka came within three seconds of the then 10km World Best when he destroyed a quality field, including the likes of Daniel Salel and Emmanuel Bett, to win the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN in 33:34. In 2017, Mokoka was not at his best, having come off injury, and finished 6th. This year, however, he wants to reclaim his title.
“I cancelled the marathon I was planning to run in April to focus on the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN this year. If we go through 10km in around 28 minutes, we can break Morris’ record. We do not have to go out at a 2:42 or 2:45 pace per kilometre, but we can run at 2:48, get to 10km in 28 minutes and still break the World Best. That last 800m of the race, if the route is the same, is incredibly fast and you can bank huge time there,” said Mokoka. Morris Gachaga of Kenya, in winning the 2017 edition of the race, set a new World Best for 10km of 33:27.
The South African holds the record for 10km on the road when he finished second at the Great Manchester Run in 2015, clocking 27:38 behind Stephen Sambu and has shown impressive form already this year. Mokoka cruised to his 8th national 10 000m title at Tuks in Pretoria on 15 March, completely controlling the race. More impressive was his performance in Brisbane at the Commonwealth Games. The 33-year-old finished 6th in field that included World Championship 10 000m silver medallist, Joshua Cheptegei, Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed, Rogers Chumo and Kiwi, Jake Robertson. His 27:44.58 was the fastest 10 000m Mokoka has run since 2015 and is his third best time ever. All this bodes well for his challenge in Cape Town.
“I love racing in Cape Town, especially this race. We always have good competition from outside the country which makes us run better. So I am looking forward to running again in the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN. I know we will once again have a really tight tussle. It’s going to be good.”
Currently the first big announcement in the men’s field is Uganda’s Abdallah Mande who boasts a half marathon best of 60:14, and his 10 mile (45:39) and 15km (43:35) times show that he is a fast and dangerous athlete. Compare that to Mokoka’s 10 mile best (46:25 – Portsmouth, 25 October 2009) and 60:40 (South Shields, 13 September 2015) and it is clear that the race will once again not be for the faint hearted. “Those are good times. I haven’t raced against him yet, but he certainly can run fast, which means we will not be able to sit and watch each other. That’s good,” said Mokoka.
This will be the third time that Stephen Mokoka lines up in the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN, having missed the first year (2015) of the race. He won in 2016 (33:34) and was 6th in 2017 (34:43).
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN
| Date: | Sunday, 20 May 2018 |
| Start Venue: | Woodbridge Island, c/o R27 and Loxton Road, Milnerton (Cape Town) |
| Finish Venue: | Bree Street (Cape Town, CBD) |
| Entry Fee: | Standard Entry: R170 (licensed) / R205 (unlicensed)
Gold Package Entry: R850 (licensed) / R885 (unlicensed) |
Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both the Absa Cape Town ONERUN Charities: Die Burger Kersfonds and The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA.
Facebook: Ctown12 / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA / @DBKersfonds
Twitter: @CTown12
Instagram: CapeTown_12 / CapeSPCA
Hashtag: #CT12Run
Website: www.thecapetown12.com
The Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN forms part of the “Absa Run Your City Series” that includes the Absa Joburg 10K CITYRUN (taking place on Monday, 24 September 2018 / Heritage Day) and the Absa Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN (taking place on Sunday, 14 October 2018).
Runners taking part in all three events will be rewarded with an unrivalled event experience, a Absa Run Your City Series Performance T-shirt and medal on completion of the third race, the Absa Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN, where a special hospitality area awaits.
CLICK HERE to watch the Absa Run Your City Series Teaser Video.
For further information please visit www.runyourcityseries.com For more information on the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN visit www.thecapetown12.com or email entries@thecapetown12.com
About the Absa Run Your City Series:
Absa is proud to bring you the Absa Run Your City Series. The series encompasses three unique mass races namely the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN, Absa Joburg 10K CITYRUN and the Absa Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The three races are about inclusivity for all as well as encouraging business involvement, family, world class achievement and fun for all participants.
Absa’s strategy is to engage with our clients and non-clients through healthy lifestyle activities, where we sponsor selected sporting events that allow us relationship building opportunities, ensuring that we enrich the communities and the lives of those around us. Through the runs, we encourage runners to run their city their way. We invite all runners back to the city to experience the rejuvenation, revival and renewed city centres.
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Absa Run Your City Series a Stillwater Sports Initiative