Sosibo targets good showing at Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K

Cacisile Sosibo believes she is in right shape to perform well at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday. It is the second race of the series following the opener in Gqeberha last month where Sosibo clocked 33:32 for eighth place. Since then the Boxer Athletics Club top runner has continued her training and used the Prince Mangosuthu half marathon race in Nquthu over the weekend as part of her training to get ready for the race through the streets of The Mother City.

She didn't disappoint either as she clocked 1:18:11 in a tough and challenging course to finish second overall. Speaking to #TheTopRunner, Sosibo believes that the 21km race run on a hilly route was good preparation and is quite happy with the shape she is in.

Sosibo in action during the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

"Firstly, I must admit that this is a very tough course. It was not easy but I managed to hang on. This year, I'll not do many Half-Marathon as part of the program. I came here to test the level of my fitness. So far, I'm happy with the progress. I'm getting there slowly. It crucial that I start the season well and I'm going to try to keep the consistency going," explains Sosibo, who trains under the watchful eye of legendary athletics coach Michael Seme.

The 26-year-old returns to Mother City knowing very well that it her good hunting place. In March, the diminutive runner came within five seconds of her personal best when she ran 33:03 during the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix. Sosibo says her coach must take credit for the 2024 form that also saw her claim the 10 000m silver medal at the Athletics South Africa Senior Track & Field Championships.

Sosibo hard at work at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus where she trains under the watchful eye of the legendary Michael Seme. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

"I have to thank my coach Sponge," she told #TheTopRunner. "It's all about the way he treats me. He treats me like his own child. When he asks me to dig deep and do what he says until the time is right- I do it. He even advises me about what to do during a race. So I really must thank him along with my club Boxer, my training partners at the Sponge Group and my province Central Gauteng Athletics. To see the results finally coming makes me happy."

With these supporters in her corner and a host of fast East Africans included in the start list, Sosibo is hopeful that weather permitting, she can produce a fast time on 12 May. "In Cape Town, I'm targeting to run very well. I know I'm in right shape to run faster but we will see on the day how things will be like. Remember, there are international runners that will come and bring much needed competition. So I'm expecting some fast times. I'll just focus on my race and forget about other things."