A ‘Stella’ performance as Chesang races to fastest 10km on the continent

by Stephen Granger

Daniel Ebenyo retained his Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10km title in Cape Town this morning (Sunday 15 May) after a race-long solo run, but it was Ugandan, Stella Chesang, who stole the plaudits, running the fastest ever time on the African continent with a superb 30 min 40 sec winning effort.

There was drama at the finish as Ebenyo crashed heavily to the tarmac just after breaking the tape but proved none the worse for wear after a precautionary medical check. And nothing could take the gloss off a great day for running in Africa with around 8000 happy runners enjoying a perfect Autumn day and some of the best music and dance side-show activations in road running.

Ebenyo’s time of 27:34, 36 seconds off his best run earlier this year, was 18 seconds outside Ugandan Joshua Cheptegai’s 27:16 fastest time in Africa and 30 seconds clear of his training partner, Isaac Kipkemboi, who has now placed second to Ebenyo in successive RUN YOUR CITY races in Cape Town.

Lesotho athlete, Namakoe Nkhasi, split the Kenyans, edging Asbel Rutto into fourth, while Cape Town’s Anthony Timoteus, coached by track legend Zola Budd, was first South African home in fifth, running an impressive personal best time of 28:29. Zola herself had a good day out, winning the Masters 50 years category in her fastest time this year of 40:19.

But it was the women’s race which will long be remembered as a classic, with Ethiopian track star Genzebe Dibaba taking the pace out hard from the start and providing the inspiration for Chesang and last year’s winner, Jesca Chelangat, to run the races of their lives.

“I found out that Genzebe Dibaba was racing at Cape Town when I saw her on the airport bus on our arrival. I was very excited,” Chesang related. “We chatted a bit on the bus – I think I was a bit star-struck! But I found running with her an inspiration – it made me stronger and I found myself running faster than ever before.”

Chesang ran her first RUN YOUR CITY race in Cape Town as a 21 year old in 2018, where she placed second to Kenyan Jackline Chepnego over 12km, and was runner-up again in 2019 – this time to Kenyan Brillian Kipkoech. Thereafter she took ‘running maternity leave’ to give birth to her son and today’s was her first race in almost three years.

“I was surprised at my time today,” Chesang admitted. “I didn’t think I would be able to run sub 31 minutes, so I’m really happy. My boy certainly makes a difference – when I see him, I work extra hard and then I run better!  When we started the race, I told myself I have to be strong and not be intimidated by Genzebe.”

Her resolve proved effective, with Chesang, and Jesca Chelangat still on Dibaba’s heels after 5km, which the trio reached in 15:15. “I felt the strength from my son decided I needed to push the pace,” Chesang said. “When you are running with a champion you feel good and you’re not going to get tired!”

Chesang accelerated and it was Chelangat who fell behind after 6km, but regained contact with the lead pair as the athletes dropped off the National N1 Highway and raced into the Heerengracht.

Chesang continued to apply pressure and Dibaba’s race was done. Now it was just the Kenyan, Chelangat, who stood between Chesang and victory and it was clear that the Ugandan was the stronger on the day. She flew down Long Street to the finish opposite the Absa Building to take line honours in one of the finest wins of her career.

Chesang, who hails from the east Ugandan district of Kween where her parents and eight siblings are based, lives and trains with Kenyan athletes in their high-altitude camp in Iten, famous for producing countless world-class athletes. “I train with the top Kenyans and that gives me a lot of motivation. Beating them is just a matter of training harder to be able to run like them.”

To Dibaba’s credit, she gave it her all to the finish, recording a solid debut 10km of 31:02 for third, with another Ugandan, Sarah Chelangat, fourth in 30:35. Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala was first southern African athlete home in a personal best of 32:06 for 7^th, with Durban athlete Tayla Kavanagh first South African home in 9^th  in 33:02 after struggling with nausea in a tough run.

“Although that was a bit frustrating, it will be a good learning race for me,” admitted Dibaba, “I had expected a faster time, but I guess I’ll just have to go back a train harder.  I loved Cape Town. It had always been a dream for me to come here, so I was living my dream and am super-happy at the opportunity.

“I think I will come back to run in Cape Town, but it will definitely be to run a faster time!”

The men’s race was all about Ebenyo, who surged into the lead after the first kilometre and never looked like losing. He had promised to go out hard for a fast time and was as good as his word.  Even allowing for slowing in the second half after running into a slight head wind for the first 3 kilometres, the strong Kenyan had too much for his rivals.

Ebenyo flashed through half-way in 13:36, already 22 seconds ahead of the chasing pack of Kipkemboi, Rutto and South African Thabang Mosiako, with Stephen Mokoka and most of the local ‘big guns’ a further 10 seconds back.  The 26-year-old Kenyan opened the gap further in the second half before going onto claim his second successive title in the Mother City ahead of Kipkemboi.