Chris Mhlanga and Emma Pallant-Browne clinched the Thembisa Mile 10km races, while Ryan Mphahlele and Karabo More won the senior men’s and women’s mile titles at a packed 14th edition of The Running Party at Olifantsfontein Sports Ground on October 25.

Mhlanga led a men’s top three that finished under 30 minutes after clocking 29:40 to edge Peter Langat Cheptot by two seconds after the Kenyan crossed the line second in 29:42.

Mhlanga’s Boxer AC teammate, Modupe Tladi, was 13 seconds adrift in third.

After the leading pack of Mhlanga, Cheptot and Tladi stayed tight for much of the race, Mhlanga launched his attack after 8km and broke away, giving his all until he crossed the line for his second Thembisa Mile 10km victory, adding to his 2022 title.

“I saw around 8km going into 9km that this race is mine. I had to risk it all and give it my all until the finish,” said Mhlanga.

“I am very happy because it’s the race that launched my running career and gave me the experience to compete against elite athletes. This is where I first showed my potential by beating the elite runners. It makes me happy that I’ve won it for the second time. Hopefully, I will return next year to defend my title.”

In the women’s contest, the in-form Pallant-Browne, second at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km on October 18, broke clear of the rest of the field to win in 35:05, getting the better of recently crowned national 10km champion, Zanele Maisa, who was second in 36:24. Elizabeth Hutamo completed the top three 28 seconds behind Maisa.

The British national shared her delight after her victory, saying it was part of a bigger plan to familiarise herself with the local running scene ahead of next season.

“This is my first full year of running. I just wanted to have fun, get to know all the races so that I can plan strategically next year and start to get serious and run some fast times,” said Pallant-Browne.

In the mile events, fresh from breaking the national road mile record when she clocked 04:29.11 at the Parys Crater Street Mile last week, More successfully defended her senior women’s mile title, crossing the line in 04:48.

The reigning African 1 500m champion ran a metric mile personal best of 04:05.90 in Stellenbosch to climb to fifth in the all-time national rankings, finishing 11 seconds ahead of her Boxer AC teammate Carina Swiegers, second in 04:59, while Carise van Rooyen of Tuks clinched the last podium spot in 05:02.

“I trained twice a day in my preparation for the race – mornings and afternoons. I think that’s why I won. The most important thing wasn’t the time. It was defending my title and I’m happy,” said More, who also reached the women’s mile final at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Multiple men’s mile champion Mphahlele, meanwhile, edged exciting junior athlete Tiisetso Malungane in the senior men’s race in 04:05 for his fourth title.

Mphahlele, who also holds the course record of 04:01 set in 2021, said it was a last-minute decision to contest the mile after winning the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberly Big Hole Marathon 10km the previous day.

“I spoke to my coach and said, ‘Let’s go and see what happens’. I’m surprised. I didn’t expect to do it. It’s an accomplishment. We’ll take it,” he said.

Runner-up Malungane of Curro Hazeldean finished second, while Johannes Morepe of Phanthane AC settled for third in 04:09.

The event attracted around 4 000 runners who took part in the 10km and mile races.