SA runners geared up for Two Oceans half-marathon

The gun will sound at 06h30 at Newlands Grounds with SA 10km record-holder Precious Mashele (27:35), SA 5 000m record-holder Elroy Gelant (13:04:88), and local road running star Stephen Mokoka taking on defending champion Moses Tarakinyu of Zimbabwe.

Gelant, a two-time Olympian, said he was ready to take on the defending champion Tarakinyu.

“I have prepared well for the race and hope that everything will click into place on the day of the race, and I pray for good weather and good health," said Gelant.

"The competition will be tough for the foreign runners, but it could help us to run a faster time. I am in the best possible condition and optimistic about my chances."

Fresh from breaking Mokoka’s SA record from 2015 in the half-marathon in Gqeberha three weeks ago, Mashele wants to run an even faster time in the Mother City.

“I ran faster and pushed for the record in Gqeberha, and the goal is to do the same in Cape Town. I want to run faster and try to enjoy the race,” added Mashele. 

Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon chairman William Swartbooi expects an exciting race with the quality field on show and hopes the trio will prevent the 21.1km title from leaving the country this year.

"The athletes are ready, and Gelant and Mashele are determined to prevent Tarakinyu from winning it again. We are super excited about the half-marathon," Swartbooi told SABC Sport.

"We would be happy if the title remains in South Africa. We have a quality field of Ethiopians, Kenyans, and other runners from neighbouring countries."