Mokoka, Gelant out to upset foreign challenge

Seen here:  Elroy Gelant crossing the finish line at the 2015 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN. 

Photo Credit:  Jetline Action Photo

Shortly after the announcement that the top three runners from the inaugural FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN will be back in the Mother City for the 2016 event on 15 May, comes the news that South Africa’s top middle distance pairing of Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant will be out to dethrone the defending champion, Emmanuel Bett.

Gelant was the first South African home in 2015, finishing 5^th in 34:51 for the 12km race that started in Milnerton and finished in Bree Street in front of the Portside building.

Bett and Daniel Salel missed the world best mark by one second in 2015 and hopes are high that the world best can go come race day on Sunday, 15 May this year. With Mokoka and Gelant both keen on a South African win, Bett and Salel will not have things their own way this time round.

“In 2015 I was training for the 1500m, so lacked the endurance to stay with Bett, Salel and Toroitich when they moved. But this year I am healthy, fit and really looking forward to the challenge,” said Gelant who only recently ran 13:20.70 to secure his place on the Olympic team in the 5 000m. “Both Stephen and I believe we can take the race to the Kenyans. We love that they are coming to South Africa to race, but we do not want them to beat us on home soil, so we will do our best to make sure that it is a South African that tops the podium.”

Mokoka successfully defended his 5 000m and 10 000m titles at the South African Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch on 15 and 16 April. In the process he dipped 28 minutes for the 10 000m and set a qualifying time for the Olympic Games in that event. “In 2015 I had prior commitments, so I could not race in Cape Town. This year is different and I am in.  Elroy and I want that win badly,” said Mokoka.

Mokoka has the fastest 10km on the road of all the contenders, having clocked 27:38 in Manchester in 2015. That is three seconds better than his nearest rival Salel, whose best of 27:41 was run in 2014. Bett boasts a best of 28:07 and Gelant has run 28:36.

EVENT INFORMATION: 

FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

Charity Support:  When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both of the FNB Cape Town ONERUN Charities:  The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA and Die Burger Kersfonds.

Join in on the fun at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN’s Friday 5k run:

The Stellenbosch Friday 5k will run until just before the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, while the Cape Town Friday 5k will carry on through winter.

Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both of the FNB Cape Town ONERUN Charities: The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA and Die Burger Kersfonds.

Facebook: Ctown12 / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA

Twitter: @CTown12

For more information on: Die Burger Kersfonds email azelia.morkel@media24.com, Cape Of Good Hope SPCA visit www.spca-ct.co.za, FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN visit www.thecapetown12.com

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.

ENDS

ISSUED BY:                                            Newsport Media

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