With less than two months until the Olympic Games commence in Paris, three-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka has confirmed that the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 7 July 2024, will be his final race before competing in the Olympic Marathon five weeks later.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is going to be a fitness checkup for me to see how my preparation has been going,” explains Mokoka. “It will be my final race before the Olympics. It’s part of the plan to make sure that I will be at my best five weeks away from the Olympics. It will help me to decide where I am in terms of the preparation,” said the man who is the holder of a 2:06:42 42.2km lifetime best.
His preparation for what will be his third attempt at the Olympic Marathon has been six months in the making. Mokoka began 2024 by taking on the Hong Kong Marathon in January, whose hilly course and humid weather mirrored the conditions he is likely to encounter on 10 August. A 2:12:58 finish for second place in Hong Kong, plus a debut at the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon have left the 39-year-old strong. But is he still fast?
“My preparation has been going okay, especially since I have started introducing speed work after a period of speed endurance. Everything is looking good because the body is responding well and the legs are also responding well,” said Mokoka, who is the holder of a 27:38 10km lifetime best.
That disclosure will be music to the ears of his supporters who have been concerned about Mokoka’s 10km form this season. In 2024, the Hollywood Athletic Club top runner’s best 10km effort was a modest 29:19 clocking at last month’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. But Mokoka says it’s all about peaking at the right time and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is the right place to run fast.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has the best 10km races in the country. I enjoy running them, specifically because I have been consistent in terms of my times and, I’m grateful that I managed to get sub 28 (last year). It’s always exciting because of the quality of the field and the incentives that are there to motivate us to try and run faster. That’s why I always come back. Sub 28 will be good, but I’ll take anything under 29 because at the end of the day I have to save up some energy for the Olympics.”
“We are thrilled to have Stephen Mokoka participating in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K as his final race before the Olympic Games,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “It’s fantastic to see the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series incorporated into the training schedules of South Africa’s elite runners. Stephen is a legend in the running community, and it’s an honor not only to have him on the start line but to also be part of his Olympic journey in 2024. We look forward to witnessing his exceptional performance and wish him all the best as he prepares for the Olympic Marathon.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. COMPLETED / Sunday 07 April 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 28:01
Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:15
2. COMPLETED / Sunday 12 May 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 27:52
Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:47
3. Sunday 07 July 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Start Venue: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (MY)
Finish Venue: Durban Beachfront (Golden Mile)
Start Time: 08:00
Entry Fee:
• Licenced Runners: R 245.00
• Temp Licence: R50.00
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
• Incredible 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 DURBAN 10K Finisher’s Medal
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
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has welcomed the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events in 2024. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
EXCITING NEWS: In 2024, each of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events will showcase unique, city-specific medals, adding a personalized touch to the participant experience reflective of the host city’s essence and character.
WIN A CAR: All entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K will have the exciting chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize, runners need to complete three simple steps: first, register for the event and pay the entry fee; second, collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times; and finally, ensure you’re on the start line on event day.
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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