Kabelo Seboko-Mulaudzi from South Africa and Ethiopia’s Debash Desta took center stage at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
In the men’s race, Kabelo Seboko-Mulaudzi was part of a leading group of ten runners for the initial 5 kilometers of the challenging course that kicked off near Tshwane’s iconic Union Buildings at 8 a.m. Notable names in this pack included South African 10km Record Holder Precious Mashele, SA 5km Champion Nicholas Seoposengwe, two-time Olympian Elroy Gelant, the rapidly improving Mathews Leeto, Lesotho International athlete Namakoe Nkasi, and Ethiopian Adisa Wake.
Around the 5km mark, the race intensified, with Gelant initially setting the pace, followed by Leeto. However, it was Nkasi’s determined push around 7.7km that fractured the group, leaving seven contenders. Mashele surged around the 8km mark, but it was Seboko-Mulaudzi who pushed the pace in the final stretch. At 9km, the lead group dwindled to three: Mashele, Wake, and Seboko-Mulaudzi. In the end, it was Seboko-Mulaudzi who finished strongest, crossing the finish line in 29:12, with Mashele in second (29:14) and Wake in third (29:15).
Reflecting on the race, Seboko-Mulaudzi stated, “The pace was not fast, so after 5km, I tried to pick it up. The slower pace made me confident that I would be able to run hard in the second half of the race and win.” His back-to-back victories in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series left him ecstatic, saying, “I am very happy. Winning back-to-back is a great feeling and shows I am in great shape.”
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Debash Desta took control early on, making a decisive move after 3km. This surge separated the leading women, including Glenrose Xaba, Neheng Khatala, Cacisile Sosibo, and Ethiopians Getenesh Sase Agafaw and Diniya Kedir Abaraya. Desta maintained her lead and equaled her personal best with a finishing time of 32:14. Behind her, there was a fierce battle for second and third place between the Ethiopian athletes, with Agafaw taking second (32:46) and Abaraya in third (32:48). Glenrose Xaba finished fourth and was the top South African (33:23).
Kabelo Seboko-Mulaudzi from South Africa and Ethiopia’s Debash Desta took center stage at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, which made its debut in Tshwane, drew an impressive field of over 7000 participants.
Sydney Mbhele, Absa’s Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, congratulated the winners and all participants, noting their exceptional performances and dedication to fitness. He expressed appreciation for their role in inspiring future generations and promoting a healthier, stronger, and more inclusive society.
TOP 10 RESULTS: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
DATE: Sunday 27 August 2023
TOP 10 MEN
1 Kabelo Seboko Mulaudzi (South Africa) 00:29:12, 2 Precious Mashele (South Africa) 00:29:14, 3 Adisa Wake (Ethiopia) 00:29:15, 4 Elroy Gelant (South Africa) 00:29:18, 5 Nicholas Seoposengwe (South Africa) 00:29:28, 6 Andries Sesedi (South Africa) 00:29:30, 7 Mathews Leeto (South Africa) 00:29:34, 8 Namakoe Nkhasi (Lesotho) 00:29:36, 9 Neil Van der Merwe (South Africa) 00:29:43, 10 Reghan Magwai (South Africa) 00:29:50
TOP 10 WOMEN
1 Debash Desta (Ethiopia) 00:32:14, 2 Getenesh Sase Agafaw (Ethiopia) 00:32:46, 3 Diniya Kedir Abaraya (Ethiopia) 00:32:48, 4 Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 00:33:23, 5 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 00:33:37, 6 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 00:34:39, 7 Regina Ndungu (Kenya) 00:34:46, 8 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 00:35:04, 9 Gerda Steyn (South Africa) 00:35:23, 10 Carmie Prinsloo (South Africa) 00:35:39
