Mathanga aims to shine at Mangosuthu 10km

Durban sensation Mbuleli Mathanga is geared up for this weekend's Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi race where he will run the 10km distance in order to qualify for the SA 10km Championships. With the championship taking place in his hometown on the 31st of October, Mathanga's is aiming to have a successful race by making the best of his home ground advantage. The 27-year-old Phantane Athletics Club athlete says all the preparations for the race in Dundee have gone well and the plan is to run under 30 minutes.

Mbuleli Mathanga in action during the Newton Classic Shootout earlier this year. Photo Credit: Phantane Athletics Club.

"The training has gone well for me. I'm feeling strong at the moment which is a good sign that I will have a good race," said the reigning SA 10 000m champion. "I must say to finish on the podium will excite me a lot as I'm hoping for a good race. Having limited races this year has left me hungry to do well whenever I get the opportunity to race. If I can run sub 30 minutes then I would be satisfied with that. I expect nothing but good competition on the race day," he told #TheTopRunner.

2021 has been a food year for Mathanga. He finished third at the SA 21km Championships in Gqerbeha, he broke the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) 5 000m record twice and was crowned provincial 10km and 4km Cross Country Champion. According to him, all these tremendous achievements are a result of dedication and hard work he has put in under the guidance of his coach Mdu Khumalo.

Mathanga enjoying cross country. Photo Credit: Phantane Athletics Club.

"The way I'm so disciplined has resulted in me achieving all these good things this year," he explained. "But I can't be too proud because good things are yet to come. I'm still striving to achieve more in life and the time is now. I still have many things to achieve on my bucket list. I want to do well against top runners in the country," concluded Mathanga.