'I'm feeling optimistic about what lies ahead' - Gelant targets Absa GQEBERHA 10K after victory and 21km PB in Belgium
After a stellar 2024 season, where he claimed two national titles and represented South Africa in the Olympic Marathon, Elroy Gelant is poised for an even bigger 2025. The three-time Olympian delivered a scintillating performance at the Bashir's Run Half Marathon in Belgium on Sunday, 9 March, clocking a lifetime best of 60:22 to secure victory. Motivated by this achievement, Gelant is eagerly preparing for his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race of the year—the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K—on Sunday, 13 April.
"I'm really excited about my performance and I'm feeling optimistic about what lies ahead. While winning was never the goal, it turned out to be an amazing bonus! I consider it a blessing to still be able to achieve personal bests at this stage in my life. We set a goal for a sub-60 finish right from the start, but when our pacer could only maintain that pace for 5km, we had to take the lead early in the race, which may have impacted our goal. Nonetheless, achieving a personal best is exciting, and this performance serves as just a stepping stone in my preparations for the marathon in April," explained the 38-year-old top runner who is coached by Jean Verster.
As part of his preparation for the April marathon during the European spring, Gelant will return to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, where he secured a runner-up finish in 28:17 last year. Now, with an improved 10km personal best of 27:47 from the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K and the fastest 21km time of his career, the North West University
lecturer is confident in his ability to break new ground beyond 27:47.
"Sunday’s race gave me valuable momentum and highlighted my current form as I prepare for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. I’m excited for this event, especially since I’ve heard it’s set to be a fast 10km. My goal? To set a personal best and end this training cycle on a high note!"
Also targeting a fast time on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay is Karabo More. The 22-year-old Boxer Athletics Club rising star made a name for herself in 2024 with a standout victory at the Boxer Super Run 5km in Durban and a strong runner-up finish at the Thembisa Mile 10km race. With a 10km personal best of 34:49, achieved with a fifth-place finish at the Absa
RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K last September, the talented athlete—coached by Violet Semenya—is eager to secure her first-ever Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES podium finish in the Friendly City on 13 April.
"I think it's all about training and the motivation and support that I get from my coaches. I had actually given up running because I couldn't agree on what my best distance is with my former coach. My coach Violet Semenya told me to just give it a try again and see where it takes us. So now I’m focussing on 10km races. There's some light," says More.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, says: "Elroy Gelant's victory at the Bashir's Run Half Marathon and his impressive 60:22 personal best highlight his consistency and drive to keep improving. He's a seasoned competitor who always brings his best to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, making him a standout in any elite field. Beyond his racing credentials, he's also a great sportsman and a valued presence at our events. We look forward to seeing him in action again and wish him all the best for Gqeberha. It's also exciting to have rising star Karabo More in the series. Coached by two of South Africa's finest, she's an exceptional talent with a bright future. The elite lineup for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K is shaping up to be something special, and we look forward to witnessing world-class performances in The Friendly City!"
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