Seen here: The elite men’s field in action during the inaugural event in 2015. In the mix was Gladwin Mzazi, Elroy Gelant, Emmanuel Bett, Daniel Salel and Timothy Toroitich.
Photo credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Thirty-three minutes, 31 seconds is the time to beat on Sunday, 15 May when the likes of Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant take on Emmanuel Bett, Daniel Salel and Timothy Toroitich at the Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
Thirty-three minutes, 31 seconds is the official World Best time ever recorded over the 10km and was set by Joseph Kimani from Kenya as far back as 1997. In 2015, Emmanuel Bett and Daniel Salel were one second off the time after going toe to toe in the inaugural Absa Cape Town 12 ONERUN. Neither Bett nor Salel could get any advantage as the lead changed three times in the final kilometre on Bree Street in Cape Town. In the end Bett was awarded the win with both credited with a 33:32 time.
It was a clean sweep for the foreign contingent as Timothy Toroitich claimed the final podium position. Those podium positions are under serious threat in 2016 as Stephen Mokoka has entered the fray, as has first South African home from last year, Elroy Gelant, who is in scintillating form.
Mokoka set the South African record over 10km in 2015, clocking 27:38 in the Great Manchester Run where he finished second. In so doing, he took 22 seconds off the record set by Matthews ‘Loop n Val’ Motshwarateu in 1980. His form of late has also been exceptional and there is every reason to believe he can break the World Best if needed to win the race; and Mokoka does not want to see the Kenyans take the laurels again.
Mokoka has opted out of racing in the marathon in Rio and will focus on the 5 000m and 10 000m which means he will be racing on fresh legs come 15 May.
Gelant too is in great form after having beaten Mokoka to the national 10km title in February and set an Olympic Qualifier in the 5 000m on 11 March this year.
After his win in 2015, Bett was thoroughly disgusted to not have taken the World’s Best and announced straight after the race that he would be back in 2016 to challenge the time. This makes for a mouth-watering prospect come race day.
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