Elroy Gelant will be one of the hopefuls looking to break the record and secure the prize. Seen here: Gelant in action at the 2015 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
PHOTO CREDIT: Tobias Ginsberg
In a major coup for the race, the organisors of the 2016 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN which takes place in Cape Town on Sunday, 15 May, have announced a record incentive of R10 000 should the SA Record of 34:23 (men) or 38:39 (women) be broken on race day.
“South Africa has such depth in the middle distances on the roads and with both Elroy Gelant and Stephen Mokoka in great shape in the men’s race and Irvette van Zyl and the Phalula sisters firing on all cylinders on the women’s circuit, we felt it only right that we reward them with this incentive,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “Stephen (Mokoka) and Elroy (Gelant) have had some epic battles and it is time we acknowledge this. With (Emmanuel) Bett, (Daniel) Salel and (Timonthy) Torroitich back and both Elroy and Stephen in great shape, there is no reason why that record cannot go. Also Irvette van Zyl is in sublime form right now and the Phalula sisters will really need to be on top of their game if they want to beat her, so there is a good chance that the women’s record can well go too.”
The current SA Record of 34:23 stands behind the name of one Matthews “Loop ‘n Val” Motshwarateu set in Spokane on 1 May in 1988. Motshwarateu also held the SA 10km Record of 28 minutes until Stephen Mokoka ran 27:38 in Manchester on 10 May, 2015.
“That is good news,” said Mokoka. “I am in good shape and am looking forward to Sunday. This additional incentive will make it even more exciting”.
Gelant was equally excited. “I missed the record in 2015 and am in much better shape this year, so I believe we can take that record. When Stephen and I race it is always competitive and we also have the Kenyan’s here so that record should fall.”
The women’s record stands at 38:39 behind Elana Meyer and dates back to 16 May, 1999. Meyer ran the time in San Francisco. It is not an easy target for the women to hit, but such is the shape of Van Zyl that it could well fall on 15 May.
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN
| Date: | Sunday, 15 May 2016 |
| Time: | 09:00 |
| Start Venue: | Woodbridge Island, c/o R27 and Loxton Road, Milnerton (Cape Town) |
| Finish Venue: | Absa Building, Portside c/o Mechau and Bree Streets (Cape Town, CBD) |
Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both of the Absa Cape Town ONERUN Charities: The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA and Die Burger Kersfonds.
Facebook: Ctown12 / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA
Twitter: @CTown12
For more information on: Die Burger Kersfonds email azelia.morkel@media24.com, Cape Of Good Hope SPCA visit www.spca-ct.co.za, Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN visit www.thecapetown12.com
About the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN sponsorship:
The Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN race is sponsored by Absa Business. The sponsorship forms part of the Bank’s ongoing strategy to support national and community events that have the potential to grow and inspire. The Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN affirms our dedication to providing an experience that is beyond expectation, through sporting disciplines that advance our commitment to building, enduring and rewarding relationships across communities in which we operate.
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN a Stillwater Sports Event