Seen here: Elroy Gelant, Timonthy Toroitich, Daniel Salel and Emmanuel Bett in action at the 2015 Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
The prospect of seeing Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant take on Emmanuel Bett, Daniel Salel and Timonthy Toroitich in the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday 15 May, is a riveting one. There will however be more at stake than merely making sure that it is a South African on top of the podium – the question of who is South African King of the road will also be answered.
Mokoka and Gelant have met once this year on the roads and it was Gelant who came out on top as they faced each other at the SA 10km Road Championships. Mokoka though has had the better of Gelant on the track in this year’s SA 5 000m Championships.
Gelant outsprinted Mokoka in Sasolburg on 6 February clocking 29:14 to the 29:16 of Mokoka for the SA 10km Title. On Friday 15 April, Mokoka turned the tables by beating Gelant in his favourite event, the 5 000m at the SA Track and Field Championships. Gelant took the field out hard in the early stages of the race, only to have Mokoka and Sibusiso Nzima latch onto him. In the end it was the devastating kick of Mokoka that won the day, 13:40.81 to 13:43.43.
Whilst both Gelant and Mokoka will work together as best as possible to defeat the Kenyans on 15 May, come the race to the finish line, no quarter will be asked nor will any be given. With R40 000 up for grabs for the winner and R25 000 for the runner up, it will be a race to the finish.
At the same time Olympic marathoner, Sibusiso Nzima has entered the fray. The 29 year-old finished 6th at the National 10km Championships two weeks before finishing 4th at the Sevilla Marathon in 2:11.43 which ensured him a place in the Rio Olympic Marathon team. It was also Nzima who chased Gelant and Mokoka at the SA Championships in the 5 000m to finish 3rd (13:46.73). A day later Nzima again won Bronze, this time in the men’s 10 000m (28:36.58). Throw in Gladwin Mzazi, (2nd SA 10 000m – 28;28.68) and Joel Mmome, who loves racing on the road, and not only will Bett, Salel and Toroitich have their work cut out for them, but Mokoka and Gelant will need to be on top of their game too if they are to take the laurels.
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