Seen here: Mercyline Chelangat claims victory at the 2017 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Defending champion, Mercyline Chelangat will have a big bullseye on her back on Sunday, 14 October 2018 when she lines up at the 2nd annual FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
In 2017 at the mere age of 20 Chelangat had showed some promise as an athlete, but with the likes of the experienced
Dorcas Tuitoek, Paskalia Chepkorir and Veronica Nyaruai in the line-up, Chelangat was not expected to podium, never mind win. In the end she not only won, but also shattered her best ever 10km time by just under 2 minutes, bringing her time down from 33:17 to 31:38 in only her second ever 10km on the road.
Returning to Durban to defend her title on 14 October, Chelangat anticipates a faster time than what she raced in 2017.
“I know the course now and I think I can go faster. I have prepared very hard for this race and if conditions are good, I want to push the pace,’” said Chelangat from her training base in Kapchorwa, Uganda. Chelangat picked up the bronze medal in the 10 000m at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in April this year and has since then raced only in a 3000m at the Osaka Golden Grand Prix on 20 May where she set her personal best of 9:09.28.
“My main focus for 2018 was the Commonwealth Games on the track, so that is why I didn’t race much after that, other than the run in Osaka. So I am really hungry to race in Durban again.”
Chelangat is not concerned about the favourite tag. “I can only do my best. I know what I am capable of and will run accordingly. If someone is better than me on the day, then so be it.”
Chelangat is the latest name to be announced for the Durban race with compatriot, Joshua Cheptegei, the 2017 men’s winner, already confirmed. Cheptegei ran an All-comers record of 27:28 in Durban and Chelangat clocked the second fastest time ever on South African soil for her win. Her 31:38 was a mere 5 seconds off the fastest time run by Elana van Zyl-Meyer and if she is looking to go faster than her best, then we could witness the fastest ever time run over 10km in South Africa.
In 2017, the initial race pace was almost suicidal as the first 2km were run in 6:02, before calming down. With the knowledge gained from 2017 and the desire to run faster, there is no doubt that Chelangat will have a pacing strategy in mind. But if 2017 is anything to go by, then the 2018 race will certainly be a nail-biting event to watch.
EVENT INFORMATION: FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN
Celebrating its 2nd anniversary in 2018, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN grants entrants the unique opportunity to explore their city on foot. In addition to lively on-route entertainment and rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best middle distance runners, the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN route will also highlight a number of Durban’s iconic landmarks.
| Date: | Sunday, 14 October 2018 |
| Entry Fee: | Standard Entry: R170 (licensed) / R190 (unlicensed)
Gold Package Entry: R850 (licensed) / R870 (unlicensed) |
| Enter: | Online: www.durban10k.com |
| Instore: Totalsports – Gateway, Westville Pavilion, Musgrave, West Street, Pinetown, The Bluff, Bridge City, City View and Chatsworth | |
| Instore Entries Close: | Monday, 24 September 2018 |
| Online Entries Close: | Monday, 01 October 2018 |
The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN is proudly hosted by KZN Athletics.
CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering online runners (and walkers) can support one of five Durban based charities: 1. The Reach For A Dream Foundation, 2. TREE, 3. Durban & Coast SPCA, 4. LIV Village and/or 5. iThemba Lethu.
PRIZE PURSE: The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN will boast a whopping Prize Purse of R250000 in 2018. Prize Money will be awarded to the top ten men’s and women’s finishers in the open category with the overall winners each taking home R30 000. Prize money has also been allocated to the top three finishers in the junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ age group categories.
EXCITING ON ROUTE ACTIVATION: PUMA South Africa has thrown down the gauntlet challenging runners to ‘Beat Bolt’ at the 2nd annual FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The ‘Beat Bolt’ Sprint requires speed. Be prepared to give your all over a 100m sprint. This section of the route will be timed. The runner (male and female) to clock the fastest time over the 100m will be rewarded with a PUMA shopping voucher to the value of R10 000.
Facebook: Durban10k
Twitter: @Durban10k
Instagram: @Durban10k
Official hashtag: #FNBRunYourCity
Website: www.durban10k.com
About the FNB Run Your City Series:
FNB is proud to bring you the FNB Run Your City Series. The series encompasses three unique mass races namely the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN and the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN. The three races are about inclusivity for all as well as encouraging business involvement, family, world class achievement and fun for all participants.
FNB’s strategy is to engage with our clients and non-clients through healthy lifestyle activities, where we sponsor selected sporting events that allow us relationship building opportunities, ensuring that we enrich the communities and the lives of those around us. Through the runs, we encourage runners to run their city their way. We invite all runners back to the city to experience the rejuvenation, revival and renewed city centres.
For further information please visit www.runyourcityseries.com
ENDS
ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: FNB Run Your City Series a Stillwater Sports Initiative
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