'I'm okay. I have no pain' - Mokoka reflects on Two Oceans & confirms Absa CAPE TOWN 10K entry

Despite failing to finish his debut Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon this past Saturday (13 April), Stephen Mokoka remains upbeat about his preparation for the Olympic Games. The South African long-distance running legend has added his name to an impressive roster of athletes that will go head-to-head in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in the Mother City on National Mother’s Day, Sunday, 12 May 2024. The former 50km World Record holder made it clear throughout his buildup to the race around the Cape Peninsula that the main objective of his 56km debut was to prepare himself for the hilly conditions he will encounter during the Olympic Marathon in Paris in August.

Mokoka says he isn't injured and decided to pullout of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon at 52km in order to save himself for his Olympic preparation. Photo Credit: Lebohang Nkutha.

"I’m grateful that I got a chance to race against the guys that I usually see on TV while getting used to the distance. It was a great experience for me. I stopped earlier than the long runs that I’ve been doing (referring to the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon). It’s just the pace that was a little bit different," said the three-time Olympian who called it quits at the 52km mark as Onalenna Khonkhobe went on to secure a maiden Two Oceans title.

And with that ultra marathon behind him and no ill-effects having been suffered, the 39-year-old who ran his first sub-28-minute 10km on home soil when he finished as the runner-up at the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, has confirmed that he will take part in the second Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of 2024, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. The Hollywood AC top runner who is the second fastest South African of all time over 10km (27:38) says the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K is the next step on his journey to a fourth Olympic appearance.

Mokoka (far right with wearing white cap) taking part in his first Totalsports Two Oceans. Photo Credit: Two Oceans Media.

"I’ve signed up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. I’ll be there.  I’m okay and have no pain. When I resume on the track, we’ll see from there. I’m excited to be back at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in May. The series has been good for us and it’s always a pleasure to line up on race day," he said.

"We're thrilled to welcome Stephen Mokoka to the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "His exceptional athleticism and his continued support of the series has been truly phenomenal. His participation not only adds to the excitement of the event but also

highlights the high caliber of athletes attracted to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. We’re excited to welcome him to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and are honored to be part of his journey to the 2024 Olympic Games."