Precious Mashele aims to retain his Durban 10km title

In April, Mashele made an impressive achievement, shattering the SA 10km record with a remarkable personal best time of 27 minutes and 35 seconds.

Now, he is determined to defend his title in Durban on 3 September, where the organizers have raised the stakes by increasing last year’s prize money of R20 000 with an additional R10 000.

With the enhanced motivation to secure victory, Mashele is eager to solidify his position as one of the best top road runners in the country.

He is currently working diligently with his training group in Zoo Lake to ensure he is in top form for upcoming events, especially the prestigious World Half-Marathon Championships in Latvia.

The ambitious athlete’s sights are firmly set on success he strives to leave a lasting mark on the road running world in South Africa.  

“I have two primary goals. First is to defend my title in Durban, and second to secure a spot in the top 10 at the World Half-Marathon championships.

The road races in South Africa have become quite rewarding, with the winners of the Absa Run Your City is receiving R30 000.

Hearing about the increasing prize money for the summer 10km race further motivates me to strive for victory.

After participating in the Absa Durban 10km last month and finishing third, I made sure to rest adequately, and I am pleased with how my body is responding.  

Our training sessions are dynamic and inspiring as we push each other to excel under the expert guidance of our legendary coach, Hendrick Ramaala,” Mashele told SABC Sport.

Mashele, who represents Boxer Running Club, revealed that contractual commitments compel athletes to participate in South African running events nearly every weekend, His relentless pursuits of prize money motivate him to compete almost every week.

“I am bound by contractual agreements with Boxer and Puma, which dictates the races I participate in each year. Additionally, financial considerations compel me to participate in numerous races in South Africa.

Our reliance on sponsor support leaves us with limited options but to meet their expectations. Moreover, we actively compete in various races to qualify for prestigious events where we can proudly represent our nation.

This year, I am looking forward to competing in cross country events and the SA 10km championships, as well as participating in two remaining Absa Run Your City races in Tshwane and Johannesburg races, including the Durban Summer 10km,” Mashele explained.