Veteran South African distance runner Elroy Gelant has set his sights on running a maiden sub-28-minute clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 7 April 2024.
“My goal for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will be to run a sub-28. I’m looking forward to it. All of my training paces are set for a sub-28. It will depend on the body and how it responds on the day, but I would really love to run a PB and better my time of 28:04,” said Gelant.
The two-time Olympian is rightly confident after producing 2:08:56 at the Sevilla Marathon last month to come within 46 seconds of automatic qualification for what would be a third consecutive Olympic appearance. Gelant says his 42km performance has laid a good base for the year ahead.
“I’m really looking forward to this year,” admits Gelant. “I started off my season with a marathon PB. That laid a foundation for me going forward in 2024 because it showed me that I can achieve what I put my mind to. I’m looking forward to a positive year”.
It is a bold target for a man who at 37 years of age is entering the twilight of his career. But after a fabulous 2023 season that saw him set new personal bests over 10km and the half marathon (1:00:56), Gelant is feeling confident, particularly with the confirmation that several 27-minute performers such as Precious Mashele, Thabang Mosiako, and Kabelo Mulaudzi will run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.
“My performance over the last six months is just a blessing,” states Gelant. “To have run three PB’s, especially at this age is a blessing. I think we have a few phenomenal athletes that can pull me to that sub-28. It’s going to be a fantastic race with an adapted route, so we are looking forward to some fast times.”
One of those phenomenal athletes to whom Gelant alludes is Kenya’s Maxon Kipngetich. The 10 000m athlete leads the East African charge in his first official road race. After his compatriot Daniel Ebenyo won last year’s inaugural race in 27:21, Kipngetich says he would love to follow in the fast footsteps of his more illustrious countryman.
“It is a good race,” says Kipngetich. “I’ve seen people like Ebenyo run and it opened their careers. I want the same. I want to expand my career to run from 5km to 21km in the near future. I want to expand my range starting here with the 10km. I’m aiming to set a good start in the Absa race. 27:50 – 27:59 will be a good start for me.”
“Elroy Gelant and Maxon Kipngetich bring a wealth of experience and talent to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Their presence not only raises the level of competition but also adds a layer of excitement and prestige to the event, highlighting its growing reputation as a top-tier road race. We’re also thrilled to witness Maxon’s debut in the series and look forward to celebrating his milestone in Gqeberha.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. Sunday 07 April 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Start & Finish Venue: Beach Road, Kings Beach, Humewood, Gqeberha
Start Time: 07:00
Entry Fee:
Standard Entry:
• Licenced Runners R245.00
• Temp Licence: R30.00
Standard Entry Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Drawstring Bag
• Absa Peak Cap
• Absa Socks
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Unbelievable Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Lively Route Entertainment Points
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Pre and Post Event Entertainment
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal
2. Sunday 12 May 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
3. Sunday 07 July 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
4. Sunday 25 August 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Tuesday 24 September 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000. Within this allocation, R252,000 will be earmarked for the Open Category, with R126,000 dedicated to the Top 10 Open Men and R126,000 to the Top 10 Open Women. Additionally, R60,000 will be designated for Age Categories. The top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers. The Age Category Prize Purse will be distributed among the top three finishers in each of the Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, and 70+ Age Categories. To view the complete Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.runyourcityseries.com
SA ATHLETE PRIZE INCENTIVES: The “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” is applicable to all five iconic races in the series in 2024 and will offer bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men’s category, bonuses start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R 200,000.00 bonus awaiting anyone who breaks the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses will start for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with a remarkable R200,000.00 incentive being awarded if the 30:23 barrier is broken.
To further elevate the excitement, an additional R50k is on the table for any South African athlete who breaks the current SA 10km record.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.
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