The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series continues to build and provide world class events for South African stars on home soil as another two big names, Uganda’s Isaac Kibet and local hero Melikhaya Frans, confirm their entry into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K that will debut on Sunday 02 April 2023.
Isaac Kibet set for Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K debut
This announcement is hot on the heels of Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K Champion, Daniel Ebenyo’s (Kenya) confirmation that he will descend on “The Friendly City” in his usual front running style in April. The Commonwealth Silver Medalist has two Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series wins behind his name (obtained in Cape Town in 2021 and 2022) and is aiming to make the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K his third.
Kibet is no stranger to South African shores after his 5th place finish in the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 10 July where he crossed the line in 28:03. He now has his eyes firmly set on both a fast time and the podium. “I want to run 27:40 or better. And I intend to be on the podium.” Kibet has already gone 27min in the 10km when he finished 5th in the 10km De Lille in Lille, France in 2021, clocking 27:41. “I am in better shape than I was in 2022 in Durban, so I am looking forward to racing in Gqeberha. The race will be fast.”
Kibet at 26-years of age is in the prime of his life. His inclusion in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K means that the inaugural race in the city will be a fast one. “I love running in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. The courses are always good, and the organisation is superb.”
Local star Melikhaya Frans looks to defend the international onslaught
Flying the flag for the host city will be the local hero, Melikhaya Frans, a man who is almost unbeatable at home. Frans has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years, with 2022 being the big breakthrough year for the 32-year-old, taking a massive 2minutes off his marathon best when representing South Africa at the World Marathon Championships (2:09.24) and slicing a whopping 37seconds off his 10k time (28:16) in 2021. For Frans flying the flag in his hometown is a big deal. “I cannot wait to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. It’s here at home now, it’s going to be exciting.”
Frans fully appreciates the impact that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will have on his hometown and can’t wait to be on the start line come Sunday 02 April. “I’ve seen the names coming in and I see that (Daniel) Ebenyo is coming to run. So my expectation is to run 28 minutes on the day, and I will be happy, really happy with that.”
“SA’s elite and international athletes have welcomed the exciting expansion of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series from three to five mass participation events in 2023 with the inclusion of Gqeberha (in April) and Tshwane (in August),” says Michael Meyer Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “This expansion is a further sign of the popularity of the series, both in South Africa and abroad. The fast flat course in Gqeberha combined with the strong local and international field is guaranteed to deliver world class performances. Not only can’t we wait to watch the elite race unfold, but we are also excited to give Gqeberha residents the opportunity to be part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series experience.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo
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