Two times national 10km champion Stephen Mokoka should not expect an easy race at Sunday’s South African 10km Championships in Germiston.
One of Mokoka’s main challengers Sibusiso Nzima this week said that the rest of the field will not allow Mokoka to run away with the race.
“I expect a fast race without fast times as we are running at altitude,” said Nzima.
“It is good to run against Mokoka but we will not let him go.”
Last year’s championships in Paarl saw the six fastest South African times over this distance.
Even though the championships are held at altitude the athletes will still push each other to run fast times.
This week there was confusion when Athletics South Africa (ASA) could not confirm whether Mokoka’s name would be seen at the championships.
‘A bonus’
Nzima — who finished in third place last year — though did confirm that Mokoka would be running.
Mokoka, the country’s leading middle distance runner, has dominated this event over the last two years.
Nzima last won the SA Champs in 2008 while conceding this title to Mokoka who has reigned supreme ever since.
The 24-year-old Nzima believes it is possible to wrestle the title away from Mokoka as he has competed in the 5 000m and 10 000m races this year.
Other strong challengers include Tshamano Setone, Kgosi Tsosane, Boy Soke Elroy Gallant, Coolboy Ngamole, Mpho Mabuza, Benedict Moeng and Molefe Molefe.
“Most of the guys in the competition will be very tough and winning will be a bonus,” said Nzima.
Setone is the reigning SA 5 000m champion with Tsosane breaking new ground in his career after he ran personal best times in the 3 000m, 5 000m and the half marathon.
Incentives
Tsosane won the SA Cross Country Trials and he was the best athlete at the Africa cross country championships finishing in fifth place.
In the senior women’s race, a tight clash between reigning champion Irvette van Blerk and Lebo Phalula is expected.
Phalula beat Van Blerk recently in the Port Elizabeth leg of the Spar 10km Challenge while Van Blerk went on to lodge a complaint against Phalula cutting across a corner.
After a the referees’ panel viewed television footage of the incident, it was decided that Phalula would not be penalised.
Other challengers for the women’s title include Zintle Xiniwe who finished in second place at last year’s championships with Mapaseka Makhanya and Lebo’s twin sister Lebgogang.
Athletes will not only compete for bragging rights but there is also a R15 000 winners cheque on the line.
There is also a R50 000 incentive for the man or woman who breaks the South African record. — Sapa