Running News Daily

Kenyans Victor Kipruto and Veronica Loleo reign supreme in blustery Run Your City Cape Town 10K

Kenyan duo Victor Kipruto and Veronica Loleo reigned supreme in Sunday's Run Your City Cape Town 10K, which was run in windy and blustery conditions in the Mother City,

Kipruto won the men's event in 28:28 after an exciting duel in the final stages of the race. The next eight runners all finished in under 29 minutes.

The next four places went to South Africans led by Precious Mashele (28:36), Thabang Mosiako (28:38) and Elroy Gelant (28:51).

“My plan was to win the race. I came here to win,” said Kipruto, who ran the second half of the race in 13:45.

“We were a big bunch in the beginning because of the wind, and it is easier to run in a bunch when the wind blows, but once we had some shelter, I knew it was time to go.”

Second-placed Mashele led a bunch of about 20 runners that included SA 5 000m record holder Gelant, at the halfway mark. He said the cool conditions proved restrictive in the final stages.

“I felt a bit cold towards the end and that stopped me from being able to sprint in the final kilometre,” said Mashele, who broke the SA 10km record in Gqeberha, taking three seconds off the previous record.

The women's race was dominated by international runners who claimed the first five places.

Loleo, who came into the race with a 30:53 personal won in 31:38, She was followed by Ugandan Docus Ajok (32:09), Lesotho's Neheng Khatala (32:13), Uganda's Prisca Chesang (32:45) and Ethiopia's Genet Abdurkadir Habela (33:08).

The first South African across the line was sixth-placed Glenrose Xaba in 33:35.

After the race, Loleo said the race had gone according to plan.

“I stuck to the pacesetter as he was doing exactly what we asked him to do,” said Loleo. “I’m really happy with my run in the wind.”

Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the Run Your City Series said: “Congratulations to Victor Kipruto and Veronica Loleo for their stellar performances.

“Not even the Cape Doctor could get in the way of these world-class athletes.

"Today the event was back to its full-scale, post the Covid-19 pandemic, and it felt amazing. From Monday onwards it’s full steam ahead as we shift our focus to Durban.”

(05/15/2023) Views: 452 ⚡AMP
by Herman Gibbs

Olympian Precious Mashele looks the pick of the men's field for Sunday's Absa Run Your City 10K series in Cape Town

Olympian Precious Mashele will be SA's best bet for Absa 10K line honors.

Mashele finished second to Kenya's Daniel Ebenyo (0:27:21), but Mashele's time of 0:27:35 was a South African 10km record.

Ebenyo is not in the Cape Town field and Mashele will face stiff competition from fellow countryman Thabang Mosiako (0:27:52), who was the only other athlete in Gqeberha to finish the 10K in under 28 minutes.

Apart from Mashele and Mosiako, the other leading contenders for honours are Anthony Timoteus, Melikhaya Frans, Elroy Gelant and Kenyan Denis Kipngetich, who finished fourth in Gqeberha (0:28:01).

An interesting inclusion in the field is 38-year-old South African road running legend Stephen Mokoka, who dreams of a sub-28-minute 10km on South African soil.

(05/12/2023) Views: 493 ⚡AMP
by Herman Gibbs

Kipkoech clocked the worlds fastest 12K at Cape Town 12 Onerun

Brillian Kipkoech produced the fastest 12km run in history to win the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN while fellow Kenyan Morris Gachanga secured a hat-trick of titles in the men’s race at the IAAF Bronze Label event on Sunday May 19. 

Uganda’s Commonwealth 10,000m champion Stella Chesang went out hard with the intention of breaking Vivian Cheruiyot’s 38:22 course record from 2015 and led a group of five women through the first 5km in 15:58.

Chesang, Kipkoech, Sofiya Chege and Degitu Azamirew maintained that pace through 10km, reached in 32:00, and then upped their tempo for the last two kilometres. With a strong final 500 metres, Kipkoech out-kicked her opponents to win in 38:05.

The top four women all finished inside the previous world best for the rarely-run distance with Chesang taking the runner-up spot in 38:09, just ahead of Chege (38:10) and Azamirew (38:11).

“When I made my move at 11km, I wanted to see how my body felt and it responded well, so I attacked again with about 500 metres to go and was able to move away,” said Kipkoech. “I did not know about the course record, so I am very happy today.”

The first kilometre in the men’s race was covered in 2:47, prompting talks of a course record, but a slight headwind in the next few kilometres slowed the pace. All the main contenders, including defending champion Gachaga, were in the pack as they passed through 5km in 14:22.

The second 5km was covered in 13:50 as Abdallah Mande threw in numerous surges with Gachaga the only man capable of sticking with the Ugandan.

As the lead duo reached 11km, South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka had closed up on them until they attacked again in the final 500 metres with Gachaga emerging the winner in 33:38. Mande was second in 33:39 and Mokoka third (33:50).

(05/19/2019) Views: 1,824 ⚡AMP
by IAAF

Chris Geils is running 1242 miles from Pretoria to Cape Town South Africa to raise awareness about disabilities

Chris Geils and 11 others have embarked on a journey, running from Pretoria to Cape Town South Africa, to raise awareness about disabilities.

The 41-year-old and team Ocal Global will leave the Mother City for Pretoria before starting an incredible non-stop, 24-hour-a-day challenge that spans two 100km (62 miles) over 10 days.

“The Ocal 2019 Journey for Change is being run not only to raise awareness around disability, but to raise funds for differently-abled children in the Northern Cape,” said Geils.

“All these children have physical disabilities, most commonly resulting from cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputations, genetic syndromes, spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.”

He has committed to raising R25 000 ($1750) for the children’s immediate mobility and day-to-day living needs, including wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics and crutches.

“When I was 24 years old I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with no known cure. 

"Over the next six years, I’d yo-yo between states of being well, and then lows of feeling terrible and being in constant pain.

‘‘Eating anything would leave me in pain and immediately running to the bathroom. At the age of 30, I decided to make a change and listen to my body. It was about this time that I started running.

‘‘Thankfully, I’m well enough now to live a healthy, active lifestyle, but this could change at any moment and I want to make the good days count.

‘‘It’s for this reason that I want to be able to help and bring about change for the children in the Northern Cape.”

Ocal Global founder Nicolene Anley said: “People are disabled not because of their condition - they’re disabled by the poorly accessible world we currently live in.

‘‘With all of those daily challenges, disability can be something that you create within yourself that disables you from living a life that’s whole and that’s full and that’s meaningful.”

They plan to finish their challenge in Cape Town, South Africa on May19.

(05/16/2019) Views: 1,907 ⚡AMP
by

Kesa Molotsane finished third at the FNB Cape Town 12 OneRun last year. She returns with a goal of climbing the podium again

Molotsane has started the year on a positive note, winning all three races run on local soil and finishing best of the SA women at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark on March 30, in very tough conditions.

Most telling was her win at the SA Cross Country Trials in Pretoria in January where she earned her place on the team to the World Cross Country Championships.

The strength that she has gained in training for the World Cross Country Championships and the experience of racing under very trying conditions at those championships will help her at the fifth Cape Town 12 ONERUN.

Molotsane has rapidly developed into one of SA's best middle distance athletes with dominating performances in 2017 and 2018, and will be one of the big favorites.

Already confirmed is Glenrose Xaba who had some incredible duels with Molotsane last year. The two met on nine occasions in 2018, with Molotsane coming out tops 6-3 in the head-to-head. With both Xaba and Molotsane looking to dominate the SA road running scene, the ONERUN may well be the start of a great rivalry of the year.

"Last year was my first experience of the ONERUN. It was incredible, running against some of the best in the world through the streets of Cape Town and all that support. I have to come back again this year," said Molotsane. "The vibe was incredible."

Only Irvette van Zyl, twins Lebo and Lebogang Phalula have run faster over the 12km route than Molotsane, a statistic the 27-year-old, with a personal best of 32:56, would dearly love to rectify. And it is well within her reach.

(05/08/2019) Views: 1,893 ⚡AMP

Twenty-year-old Joel Ayeko from Uganda is hoping to make an impact at the 2019 FNB Cape Town 12 OneRun

Ayeko is a relative newcomer 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 the Mastboscreda Cross Country Race in January, and then the Parelloop 10km in March, where he ran a time of 29:06.

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, when one takes 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 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN from my fellow countrymen, 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 kilometre and am preparing for it.”

(05/07/2019) Views: 2,015 ⚡AMP

FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN has been awarded the Bronze Label-status by the IAAF

“We are thrilled to receive this fantastic accolade,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports. “Our vision has always been to host a world class event on South African soil. Since its inception in 2015 the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN has pushed the boundaries in the sport of road running.

The event boasts an unconventional 12km route that encourages mass participation while also featuring an Elite Race element. Runners of all ages (male and female) and walks of life are invited to celebrate the magnificent city of Cape Town.

The 12km route highlights iconic landmarks and magnificent views while featuring lively performances from some of Cape Town’s leading performing arts groups.”

“The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN ticks all the boxes of a Bronze Label event,” continues Meyer. “The benefits of this sought after status include (but are not limited to): a greater recognition both for leading national and international athletes, international media coverage as the results are shared with IAAF’s Network, greater international exposure for both the race and the host city, while the event will enjoy the highest standard of organisation and will be held on the best available, fast courses. To say that we are thrilled with the achievement would be an understatement. It’s a welcomed reward for years of planning and hard work. We’re excited for 2019 and cannot wait to take the event to the next level.”

“FNB is immensely proud to be a title sponsor of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN. The IAAF Bronze Label-status signifies the quality and hard work that goes into this prestigious race.

This would not have been possible without the invaluable support from our clients, families, athletes and running enthusiasts. We encourage all of you to continue participating and take this race to even greater heights,” says Bonga Sebesho, Head of Sponsorships at FNB.

“Western Province Athletics (WPA) is a proud partner of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN,” says Lester Cameron, WPA President. “Receiving the IAAF Bronze Label-status is a remarkable achievement. We are excited to celebrate the 5th running of Cape Town’s premier 12km road run and look forward to welcoming all local and international competitors who will push their bodies to the limit on Sunday, 19 May 2019. WPA is proud of the continued growth of the sport of road running in South Africa.

The rise in athletics awareness and the commitment from the sponsors and organisers to provide top quality events is truly amazing. We are indeed one team that wants to achieve one dream.”

(03/07/2019) Views: 1,872 ⚡AMP

Morris Gachaga wins Cape Town 12 OneRun 15 seconds off his world best time for 12k

Morris Gachaga and Jackline Chepngeno made it a Kenyan double, taking line honours at the FNB CApe Town 12 ONERUN in dramatic fashion on Sunday May 20.   Almost 13 000 runners of all shapes and sizes finished the traditional harbourside 12km dash from Milnerton into the city centre in perfect running conditions, the colourful mass transforming the usual silent Sunday city centre into a bustling party-town.  

Gachaga crossed the finish line in Bree Street in 33:42, some 15 seconds off of his world best time from 2017. “Racing for the win was more important than chasing my time from last year,” Gachaga said after the race.

“We did start out fast, for the first three kilometres we were on record pace, but then we started watching each other and the pace dropped a bit.” Those first 3km were passed in 8:15, 5km going by in 14:02 with all the main contenders in the lead pack of twelve athletes.  Gachaga, after driving the pace to the 3km mark, then slipped back into the pack with Kenya’s Victor Chumo taking up the front running.

The South African challenge fell away just after 8km which was covered in 22:47, with only Stephen Mokoka, the 2016 Champion, still in the mix. 10km came and went in 28:25 and it was at this point that Gachaga and Chumo kicked again, dragging Mande Bushendich with them.  On the climb up Wale Street, Chumo surged again and as they entered the final 800m in Bree Street, Chumo and Gachaga had broken away from John Langat (Kenya), Abdallah Mande and Mande Bushendich, with Mokoka dropping off further.

Chumo and Gachaga raced down Bree Street where Gachaga’s knowledge of the route giving him the advantage as he timed his sprint to the line perfectly, passing Chumbo in the final 300m to defend his title. The female race saw Kenya’s Jackline Chepngeno take control after 2km. Uganda’s Stella Chesang, who was widely tipped to win the race after winning the 10 000m title at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, hung on till 9km, before she had to give way to the relentless surging of Chepngeno. For Chepngeno the victory was the perfect start to 2018 after having taken 2017 off from racing, having given birth to her son.

“The last kilometre I was worried about Stella (Chesang) after her win in Brisbane (Commonwealth Games), so I ran really hard. I did not know where she was, so I needed to race to the line,” said Chepngeno. “Winning was really good for me. This was my first race back after my pregnancy and it is a big confidence booster for me.”

(05/20/2018) Views: 1,774 ⚡AMP

Record holder Stephen Mokoka heads local charge at Cape Town 12 Onerun

The local line-up at the Cape Town 12 OneRun should be spearheaded by national 10km record holder Stephen Mokoka, who set the SA 12km best of 33:34 to win the race in 2016. After finishing sixth in the 10 000m final at the recent Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Mokoka is set to feature alongside in-form compatriot David Manja, who beat an international field to win the Two Oceans Half-Marathon in March. “If we go through 10km in around 28 minutes, we can break Morris’ record… that last 800m of the race is incredibly fast,” Mokoka said. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games 10 000m champion Stella Chesang of Uganda was expected to turn out as the firm favourite in the women’s race. She was up against local favorite Kesa Molotsane, who recently bagged the 5 000m and 10 000m double at the SA Student Championships, and Western Cape star Nolene Conrad. (05/18/2018) Views: 1,701 ⚡AMP

Uganda’s Chesang a Gold Medalist will travel to South Africa to take part in the FNB Cape Town 12 Onerun

Uganda’s Stella Chesang will travel to South Africa to take part in the FNB Cape Town 12 Onerun slated for May 20th. Timothy Masaba, the administrator at the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) confirmed Tuesday that Chesang has been invited for the event to run in the 12kn run. “It is good for her to use such runs to improve on the speed,” added Masaba. Chesang won a gold medal in the 10,000m race at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia. The Uganda Police recognized her efforts by promoting her to the rank of Inspector of Police (IP) together with Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei and Mercyline Chelangat. She made her debut in a top international event in 2013 at the World Youth Athletics Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine.  (05/17/2018) Views: 1,816 ⚡AMP

Morris Gachaga ran the world's best time for 12K in Cape Town last year and on Sunday wants to go faster

The fastest man ever over 12K will return to defend his title at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday. Morris Gachaga, 23, stormed to a 33min 27sec win at last year’s event to set the fastest time ever recorded over the 12km distance. The Kenyan is in even better shape than before. On February 9 this year, he finished fifth in the RAK Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, clocking 59:36. That was followed up with a third-place finish in Lisbon where he covered the Half marathon in 60:17 on March 11, before heading off to London as pacemaker to Eliud Kipchoge, who won the 2018 London Marathon. The 59:36 (in the RAK Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon) places Gachaga eighth in the world this year over the half marathon and it’s a personal best for him over the distance by more than a minute. Clearly, he will be coming into the race on May 20 in the best shape of his life and could potentially challenge his own ‘record’ time if the rest of the field go with the required pace. ‘I’m looking forward to coming back to Cape Town to defend my title,’ says Gachaga. ‘I have good memories of that race and want to do well. I am in great shape. If things go well, maybe I can better my 33:27 and lower the world best.’ This will be Gachaga’s third visit to South Africa and his second to Cape Town since running that world best.  The 12km is a non-standard race and hence the time is ratified as a world best, not a world record.  More than 14,000 runners took to the streets of Cape Town last year and more are expected on Sunday.  Many run i customes.   (05/15/2018) Views: 1,654 ⚡AMP