L to R Abel Sikowo Kenneth Kiprop and Joshua Cheptegei photo credit The NN Running Team 2 scaled
Long distance runners Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant will participate in Absa Run Your City Durban 10K next month.
Adnaan Mohamed
(The Post News)- South African long distance stars Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant will no doubt welcome the East African competition at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 7 July 2024.
The confirmation of Kenneth Kiprop’s participation is likely to help elevate their performances as they prepare to represent the Rainbow Nation at the Olympic Games in the marathon in Paris on 10 August.
Kiprop, a training partner of 10,000m and 5,000m World Record holder Joshua Cheptegei, is the first East African athlete confirmed for the third leg of a series of five races nationwide.
The 19-year-old secured sixth place at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, is part of a new generation of Ugandan runners striving to follow in the fast footsteps of world record holders Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo. The talented youngster aims to use his debut in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series to make a name for himself.
“A lot of my fellow Ugandans have won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. So, the people that inspire me like Joshua (Cheptegei) have made me decide to go and try to win in Durban,” explains Kiprop.
During the 2018 edition of the race, two Ugandans emerged victorious. Cheptegei won the men’s race in 27:16 which was the fastest time ever run on SA soil, while Stella Chesang won the women’s race in 31:14. Inspired by his compatriots, Kiprop has thrown himself into training and is ready to race.
“My training has been going well. I’m glad that I’m finally getting back in shape to run a Personal Best in Durban. I think my coach Addy Ruiter knows me very well and his training methods really help me to reach my goals,” admits Kiprop.
Running on the same lightning-fast course where Cheptegei set that SA All-Comers record six years ago, Kiprop who is the holder of a modest 28:46 lifetime best, is aiming to become only the fifteenth Ugandan man to dip under the magical 28-minute barrier.
In closing Kiprop adds: “I know that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K has a fast course and that the environment is beautiful. I want to run my Personal Best and I hope to break 28 minutes for my comeback, and I will try to do my best to get on the podium.”
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