'Why not take another challenge' - Mosiako to make marathon debut in Abu Dhabi in December
After securing a podium finish at the inaugural Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km, Thabang Mosiako has declared himself fit for his impending marathon debut. The Nedbank Running Club elite athlete took second place behind Vincent Kipkorir during Saturday's race after a valiant but perhaps slightly late chase that saw him finish just one second behind the Kenyan's winning time of 29:51 and just split seconds ahead of 23-year-old Chris Mhlanga who took third in the same 29:52 as Mosiako.
"The race went well," he told #TheTopRunner while holding his runner's-up cheque of R30 000. "Maybe I was too calculating during the race," he conceded. "But it went according to plan because I really wanted to obtain top three finish. It’s been a while that I haven't climbed the podium in the big races. My results tell me that I’m getting there, I’m getting back to my shape," said the man who last year became the first South African to break 28 minutes for 10km three times in a single season.
A second consecutive top two placing in three weeks after he finished behind Elroy Gelant at the Thembisa Mile 10km on 27 October has left South Africa’s fastest half marathoner of 2023 bullish about what’s left of 2024. Now back in his native Potchefstroom under the coaching of Pio Mpolokeng, the man who ran 59:52 to claim a celebrated sixth position in the 21km race at the 2023 World Road Running Championships says it’s all systems go for the first 42km outing of his career.
"I'm really happy with my performance today. It's a green light to my marathon prep. I think I'm gonna be ready for my marathon on the 14th of December in Abu Dhabi."
Th 29-year-old who is the holder of a 27:45 10km personal best will lineup against a world class field of East African athletes at the World Athletics Elite Label Race which is regarded as one of the fastest around. Eritrea's Samson Amare won the 2023 edition of the race in 2:07:10, while the women’s race was won by Olympic Silver Medalist and former World Record holder Brigid Kipkosgei in 2:19:15. Mosiako is not worried about the big names saying his first priority is to beat the distance.
"I'm just going there to try because I’m also getting older. It’s the right time to move to the marathon and I can see the youngsters are coming now and I have run lots of 27’s for 10km and a 59 for 21km, so why not take another challenge."
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