Gloves are off – FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

Seen here (from left to right):  Moses Kispiro, Moses Masai and Vivian Cheruiyot at the official press conference of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN held at the FNB Portside Building in Cape Town on Friday, 15 May 2015.  

PHOTO CREDIT:  Mark Sampson|THRIBE 

The gloves are off for Sunday 17 May at the inaugural FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN and top international athletes Emmanuel Bett, Moses Kipsiro and Moses Masai will be competing against some of South Africa’s elite athletes that include Gladwin Mzazi, Elroy Gelant and Lusapho April.

According to Mzazi, they are excited at the prospect of showing this international contingent what they are made of.  “This is our territory.  We can’t let these runners come here and rule,” he says.

Gelant echoes his compatriots’ sentiments.  “They have to be respected as there are two sub 27 minute 10 000m athletes in the field, but that does not mean we are going to roll over and let them walk all over us.  This will be a fight to the finish.”

The women’s race will also provide some fireworks as Lebo Phalula is in great shape after recently winning the Spar Ladies 10km in Port Elizabeth in 32:57.  This was her second best time in her career (PB 32:27, PE)

“It is great for us to have the international athletes here.  My sister and I are in great shape and when we race together we push each other to fast times and we plan to run fast come Sunday.  We hope that Vivian (Cheriuyot) and Doris (Changeywo) are in the mood to race.”

The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN has attracted a field never before seen in South Africa at a road race.  “We have contracted the top ten men and women over 10km in South Africa and are expecting them to run fast.  This is a fast route and a great place to run fast times.

By bringing out Moses Masai, Moses Kipsiro, Emmanuel Bett, Vivian Cheruiyot and Doris Changeywo and others, we want to give our South Africans a real opportunity to race top class international athletes on home soil.  By bringing together this calibre of athlete we are hoping to set the bench mark for fast road running and racing in South Africa,” says Michael Meyer of Stillwater Sport.

With weather conditions looking to be perfect (17 degrees at race start) and a slight south westerly blowing, the athletes won’t need warm kit so the gloves will be off both literally and figuratively.

EVENT INFORMATION:  FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

Excitement builds as Cape Town prepares to host what is sure to become one of the largest and most celebrated sporting events in South Africa, the much-anticipated FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.

EXCITING NEWS ~ Although online entries have closed, late entries will still be accepted at number collection only!  No entries on the day.

NUMBER COLLECTION:

FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN entrants stand an equal chance to win a zippy Opel Adam in the “Win an Opel Adam with REEDS” competition.  The winner will be drawn at the start line of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN on a lucky draw basis and must be present to claim his/her prize.

Like the event Facebook page:  Ctown12

Follow the event on Twitter:  @CTown12

About the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN sponsorship:

The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN race is sponsored by FNB Business.  The sponsorship forms part of the Bank’s ongoing strategy to support national and community events that have the potential to grow and inspire.  The FNB CAPE TOWN 12 ONERUN affirms our dedication to providing an experience that is beyond expectation, through sporting disciplines that advance our commitment to building, enduring and rewarding relationships across communities in which we operate.

ISSUED BY:                      Manfred Seidler

ON BEHALF OF:            FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN a Stillwater Sports Event