'I'm still at the same level as last year' - Mulaudzi looks to SA Cross Country Champs & Absa JOBURG 10K

Kabelo Mulaudzi will start as the favourite once again when he lines up to defend his Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Men's 10km Cross Country title at the Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark on Saturday 7 September. Mulaudzi goes into the race as the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) 4km champion and on the back of a third place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 25 August.

"I would have been happy to win the race, but I don't know what happened during that last kilometre. But overall, it shows that I'm still at the same level as last year because the main thing is to finish on the podium," he explained referring to his 2023 season which saw him win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in a maiden sub 28 clocking and win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K six weeks later.

The year 2024 is shaping up to mirror 2023 for the reigning SA 10km Cross Country Champion. Before securing third place in the nation’s capital last month with a time of 28:52, the Alexandra Township native delivered a personal best of 27:53 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 7 July, earning the runner-up position behind Elroy Gelant. Mulaudzi attributes his ability to replicate his outstanding form from twelve months ago to his coach, Richard Mayer.

Mulaudzi on his way to winning the 2023 SA Senior Men's 10km Cross Country title at the Nelson Mandela Bay University. Photo Credit: Petrus Rademeyer Photography.

"The time I ran at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K this year is better than the time I ran last year (29:12), which shows that I’m improving at each and every race. I’d like to thank my coach for all the support," he said.

September will be a busy month the 26-year-old who is targeting a third successive Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish when he races the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day, Tuesday 24 September 2024 - just three weeks after the national cross country championships hosted by Athletics Vaal Triangle (AVT). Notwithstanding his busy schedule though, Mulaudzi says he will always take part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because they have been a keen supporter of his development into one of the country's top performers. "Thank you to Absa for the support they give me. I’ll keep coming back."

Mulaudzi in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K where he finished in third place. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Mulaudzi will be up against Gideon Kipngetich in the City of Gold on Heritage Day. The Kenyan was the surprise package of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in 2024 where he led for 9km before Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo passed him to win the race in 28:40. The East African crossed the finish line in second place two seconds later.

"It's always exciting to see Kabelo Mulaudzi in action, especially in such great form as he heads into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Series. "Watching South Africa's elite athletes not only perform at a high level but also continue to push their boundaries and improve is truly inspiring. The final event of the series on National Heritage Day promises to be a thrilling conclusion, and we can't wait to see Kabelo and the other top athletes give it their all."