Mulaudzi, Mailula come up tops in Absa Run Your City 10km in Joburg

In-form Kabelo Mulaudzi made it fantastic four by winning his fourth successive Absa Run Your City 10km race at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.

Mulaudzi, known as “Mr Podium”, crossed the finishing line in a time of 28:39 after a tactical race against a strong field that included athletes from Tanzania, Ethiopia and Lesotho. 

On a cloudy Heritage Day morning he was followed closely by Emanuel Dinday (28:45) of Tanzania, Bennett Seloyi (28:51) of South Africa, Aklilu Asfaw (28:54) of Ethiopia and Benjamin Ratsim (28:55) of Tanzania, who completed the top five. 

“It has been a good season for me and I want to thank my coach for always believing in me during good and difficult times,” said Mulaudzi.

“Last year I came third in this race. Before that I finished second. Finally I have managed to win the Joburg race and I am happy about that. The route was good — it’s just that there was a bit of wind on the highway bridge. 

“I had to run a tactical race because of the level of competition that was out there. I was competing with experienced guys like Precious Mashele, Thabang Mosiako, Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant. I was a little bit scared but I focused on my race and it went well for me.” 

In the women’s race there was a significant personal milestone for rising star Karabo Mailula, who won her first race in this series in a time of 33.44, also beating a strong field.

Mailula got the better of veterans like Florence Nyaingiri (35:17) of Kenya, Rutendo Nyahora (36:35) of Zimbabwe, Naomy Jerono 36:43 Kenya and Elizabeth Hutamo (36:45) of South Africa as she finally experienced that winning feeling.

Mailula said she targeted this race for her maiden 10km win.

“I am happy because it was my wish to win Absa Run Your City and this race was my target because last year I came third. In the first kilometre I stayed with the bunch but I pulled away from the second kilometre. 

“I relaxed and went solo until I finished the race. My advantage is I knew where it was challenging and where I needed to go harder. I think I ran well today and I am happy about that.”