SA pins hopes on Glenrose Xaba as she takes on Rotich and Khatala

The man with the fastest time heading into Sunday’s Absa Mangaung 10km race has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the field, promising to deliver a personal best (PB) in the inaugural event.

Kenyan Felix Masai’s name was displayed first along other contenders on a huge screen at the hotel venue hosting the pre-race media engagement in Bloemfontein on Friday.

While the other elite runners who shared the podium with him, Kabelo Mulaudzi and Stephen Mokoka, have dipped under 28 minutes in the 10km, Masai didn’t beat about the bush. “PB … I will run a PB on Sunday,” he said confidently.

Masai’s current PB is 27:24, and chances of him bettering that on Sunday are said to be high due to what’s expected to be a fast, flat route as Bloemfontein concludes the six-race 10km series.

Despite coming into the race on the back of a half marathon two weeks ago, the soft-spoken Masai doesn’t fear he may be fatigued, and reiterated: “Sunday, (I will) run PB.”

Mulaudzi and Mokoka, who will be leading the SA elites’ attempt to halt Masai, were not as bold as the Kenyan in predicting how the race would pan out.

“These races are always special to me. Every time I’m here, I want to do well, even when at times my body doesn’t respond,” said Mulaudzi. “These events have changed my life, now people know me. The competition is tough and I will try my best on Sunday.”

The women’s field will equally be strong, with Glenrose Xaba the favourite ahead of Neheng Khatala, of Lesotho, and Jackline Rotich from Kenya.

“It’s exciting to be in this city to give support to Mangaung and I hope the event will grow from here,” Xaba said. “This race can help develop a lot of young girls; it’s massive for the kids. Just by running alongside us, it can bring the belief that they too can be professional and go to the world champs. I’m happy to be an inspiration to them.”

More than 10,000 people are expected to grace Sunday’s sold-out race, which will start at Grey College in the city centre, as Mangaung joins five other SA cities in hosting the 10km event.