Seen here (far right): Julien Wanders in action at the inaugural FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN in 2017.
Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Breaking 28 minutes over 10km is the target for 22-year-old Swiss National Record Holder, Julien Wanders, as he returns to Durban on Sunday, 14 October 2018 for that onslaught at the 2nd running of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN.
Wanders was third across the line at the inaugural event in 2017 with a new personal best of 28:13, then a Swiss National Record, one which he subsequently broke on 31 December in Houilles, France. Wanders came dreadfully close to dipping under 28 minutes there, crossing the line in 28:02 for the current Swiss National 10km record.
Durban will once again be Julien Wanders’ first 10km of the season on the road, and given how 2018 has gone for him, that target of sub 28min is well on the cards.
“I have had a really good year again, better than 2017, mainly because I have been able to stay injury free for most of the time and have hence not lost out on valuable training,” said Wanders from his training base in Iten, Kenya. “I feel confident for Durban as I have ticked all the boxes in training and I have had a really solid 2018 so far.”
Wanders has every reason to be confident, he has run personal bests in 2018 for the 1500m (3:43.39 – Zofingen, Switzerland, 14 July), 3000m (Bellinzona, Switzerland – 18 July), 5000m (13:24.79 – Berlin, 14 August) and the half marathon (60:09 – Barcelona, 11 February). All those bests are also national records.
The half marathon best in February set Wanders up nicely for the rest of 2018, as he followed that up with an 8th place finish at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, Spain in March before hitting a very successful track season.
With the focus now returning to the road for year end, Wanders believes that he will be able to hit the 2:47/km average required to dip under 28 minutes in the 10km. “All indications are there in training. The course is perfect for a fast time, we saw that in 2017 and I am really looking forward to coming back. I know that Joshua Cheptegei has recovered well from his injury and we all know he likes to race hard and fast, so there is no chance that this will be a tactical race.”
Wanders is also aware that the South African athletes are not keen to let the foreign contingent of athletes dominate the race and with the recently announced incentives to South African athletes, he is expecting a serious threat from the local contingent. “Everyone always wants to perform well in front of their home crowd. A good race against top international competition means that international races will be looking at who does what. I expect that the South Africans will not be holding back. And when a race incentivizes the local athletes, you know that they are expecting some big challenges.”
The organisers on Monday announced a series of incentives for South African athletes, piquing the interest of some athletes. Irvette van Zyl, who seems unbeatable over 10km right now (she won again on Sunday, 07 October in 34:07 on a very tough course at altitude), is looking to dip under 32 minutes for the first time in her career. “I have been eyeing Durban for a fast time since my return to racing from pregnancy. The incentives definitely make this goal more attractive.”
Two Oceans winner Gerda Steyn, who is deep in marathon training for New York, stunned the field on Sunday, 07 October to finish second in 34:57 and feels she can break 33 minutes for the first time. “I felt really good and strong today (Sunday, 07 October). I am in probably the best shape of my life and am excited about Durban where I want to run fast. The incentives are a real bonus.”
Van Zyl, if she breaks 32 minutes, stands to earn an additional R30 000 to any prize money she may earn on race day, and Steyn will walk away with an extra R20 000 if she goes under 33 minutes.
Herewith a summary of the SA Athletes Incentive Scheme that was announced on Monday, 08 October 2018:
Incentive Scheme: SA Men
| 29m30 – 29m59 | R 3000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 29m00 – 29m29 | R 6000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 28m30 – 28m59 | R12 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 28m00 – 28m29 | R20 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 27m38 – 27m59 | R30 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| Sub 27m38 | R50 000.00 | Not cumulative |
Incentive Scheme: SA Women
| 34m30 – 33m29 | R 3 000 .00 | Not cumulative |
| 33m28 – 33m00 | R 6 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 32m59 – 32m30 | R 12 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 32m29 – 32m00 | R 20 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 31m59 – 31m13 | R 30 000.00 | Not cumulative |
| 31m12 or quicker (SA record) | R 50 000.00 | Not cumulative |
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 |
| Start Time: | 07:00 |
| Start Venue: | Blue Lagoon (Athlone Drive) |
| Finish Venue: | Beachfront Precinct (near The Bike and Bean) |
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 NEWS: Wilson Kipketer, former 800m world record holder, will participate in the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on Sunday, 14 October 2018. Kipketer who is employed by race sponsor, PUMA and won gold at three successive World Championships, has been brought to SA to inspire runners to bring their best to the event.
You can join Wilson Kipketer for a 5km warm up run on Friday, 12 October starting at 5pm from Race Pack Collection or meet him at a signing session at Race Pack Collection on Saturday, 13 October. After running the race on Sunday he will also be handing over the PUMA Beat Bolt cheque at prize giving.
“PUMA is excited to bring a true legend of athletics to the 2018 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN to inspire runners to achieve their personal best,” said Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director PUMA South Africa.
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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