Track star Nkosinathi Sibiya to test his endurance in Joburg 10km on Heritage Day

The much-anticipated race is set to take place at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown at 8 am, and more than 30 000 runners are expected to line the streets of Johannesburg.  

Sibiya, a four-time SA 1 500m champion who is venturing into road races, is poised to tackle his third 10km race on Heritage Day, aiming to assess his readiness for a demanding 2024 campaign.

With the 2024 Olympic Games (France) and African Senior Championships (Cameroon) on the horizon, along with a series of Grand Prix races, he is determined to ensure he’s in peak condition to deliver Steller performances.

Despite not being able to defend his SA 1 500m title, resulting in a bronze medal at this year’s National Championships in Potchefstroom, failing short of securing qualification for the World Senior Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sibiya finds great excitement in the Joburg 10km race, marking his final competitive event this year.  

“I’ve taken up the challenge of the Joburg 10km race to put my endurance to the test, and I’ve developed a newfound affection for the 10km races. My journey began with the Durban 10km, where I achieved a personal best time of 28:48.

I followed it up with a training run for the Tshwane 10km, finishing it in 30 minutes. For the upcoming Joburg race, I’ve made significant adjustments to my training program and intend to give it my all.

I’m particularly proud of my recent personal best in the 1 500m, clocking in at 3:37:93, which makes it this year a success for me. If I can secure a spot in the five at the Joburg 10km race, I believe it would mark a significant step forward,” shared the 29-year-old athlete, who calls Johannesburg home.  

“After practicing on the course, I’ve come to realize its challenging and hilly nature. I frequently visit it for runs, testing my readiness for the race day challenge. This 10km course is undoubtedly one of the most demanding, and I’ve never tackled it in a competitive setting before. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to be part of the final race in the series,” said a hopeful Sibiya.