Gelant, Mokaka to use Absa Run Your City as Olympic prep

Olympians Elroy Gelant (37) and Stephen Mokoka (39) plan to use the Absa Run Your City 10km races in Durban on Sunday as a crucial step in finalising their preparations for the Olympic Marathon that takes place in Paris on 10 August.

Blistering times are expected when the cream of the crop of Africa’s leading distance runners battles it out on a fast and flat route in what is expected to be ideal weather conditions. 

The race, the second in the series of five in the Absa-series starts at Masabalala Yengwa Avenue at 08:00 and ends on the Golden Mile on the Durban Beachfront. (TV SS9 07:50)

"I have done well to prepare for this race. So I'm praying for good weather conditions in order to have a solid performance,” said Gelant. 

Already a two-time Olympian, Gelant will compete in his second Olympic marathon next month. This year, he has been in outstanding form, achieving lifetime best times over 42.2km and 10km. His impressive 27:54 finish for second place at the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K in May made him South Africa’s sixth athlete to break the 28-minute barrier for 10km on home soil.

Although he is one of the contenders to win the race on Sunday, the Boxer Athletics Club top runner says he must be a little cautious ahead of his third Olympic appearance.

“I’m not aiming for a very fast time or to dip under 28 minutes like in Cape Town. If I could produce 28:10 or 28:20, I'd be much happier. I don't want to go hard as it might mess with my marathon which is in five weeks’ time. This race is crucial for building the final strength needed ahead of the Olympics. It’s all about striking the balance so I don't end up coming to the Olympics with fatigue.”

Gelant will take on fellow Olympic marathoner Mokoka as well as SA 10km