Mashele claims Durban 10k, Kavanah wins womens’

Precious ‘Machine’ Mashele defended his national title and rising star, Tayla Kavanagh won her first senior title at the inaugural Absa Durban 10K CITYRUN incorporating the ASA 10km National Championships in Ethekwini on Sunday 31 October.

As was the case at the Half Marathon Championships in Gqeberha in May, Mashele and Stephen Mokoka were the last two duelling for the gold medal and once again it was Mashele who out-kicked his more illustrious rival to take line honours by just four seconds ahead of Mokoka.

Mashele put in a surge after 9km that only Mokoka could respond to, but the latter’s recent Cape Town Marathon victory could have still been in his legs, with Mashele coming out on top in a personal best for the distance of 28:11. Mokoka finished second (28:15) with Collen Mulaudzi announcing his return to form finishing third (28:26).

“I am happy to have retained my title and win the Absa DURBAN 10K CITYRUN”, said a smiling Mashele after the race. “It has been a difficult year for all of us, but for me this has still been a good one and I’m looking forward to the Absa CAPE TOWN 12K CITYRUN in two weeks’ time.”

Kavanagh made a big breakthrough with her win, claiming the national title in only her first year as a senior athlete in a world-class 32:10, a time beaten only by the legendary trio of Elana van Zyl, Zola Budd and Colleen de Reuck thirty years ago. More recently triple Olympian Irvette van Zyl, ran just four seconds faster for the distance.

By 6km, the relentless drive of Kavanagh had dropped all but current South African cross country champion, Kesa Molotsane, defending 10km champion, Glenrose Xaba and Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala. Xaba fell behind, leaving the pacy trio out in front.

With 1km to go, Molotsane and then Khatala were unable to match the young legs of Kavanagh who came flying home in a massive personal best time of 32:10 to win by 8 seconds ahead of Khatala with Molotsane a further 33 seconds back in third.

“It was a great race for me,” said Kavanagh after her win. “Winning the National Title at the Absa Durban 10K CITYRUN, is a big honour. I just ran my own race. I was under strict instructions from my coach and the plan worked out perfectly.”

“It’s been a very beautiful day of coastal running,” said James Moloi the President of Athletics South Africa. “We have new champions and a bright future of this beautiful 10km which forms part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.  Congratulations to the winners Precious Mashele and Tayla Kavanagh.  We also congratulate their coaches, provinces and support staff for the day’s success.  We also take the opportunity to thank the host province KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, sponsors Absa and the rest of the organisers for a successful outcome.”

Results

TOP 10 MEN

1 Precioius Mashele 00:28:11, 2 Stephen Mokoka 00:28:15, 3 Collen Mulaudzi 00:28:26, 4 Reghen Magwai 00:28:29, 5 Maxime Chaumeton 00:28:30, 6 Sibusiso Kubheka 00:28:39, 7 Anthony Timoteus 00:28:46, 8 Adam Lipschitz 00:28:47, 9 Sipho Mbanjwa 00:28:50, 10 Nicolas Seoposengwe 00:28:56

TOP 10 WOMEN

1 Tayla Kavanagh 00:32:10, 2 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 00:32:18, 3 Kesa Molotsane 00:32:51, 4 Glenrose Xaba 00:33:32, 5 Irvette van Zyl 00:33:39, 6 Cian Oldknow 00:33:48, 7 Cacisile Sosibo 00:33:53, 8 Jenet Mbhele 00:34:40, 9 Nicole van der Merwe 00:35:32, 10 Gene Coetzee 00:35:41

by Stephen Granger

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