Long distance runner Elroy Gelant optimistic ahead of World Half Marathon championships

Gelant is among the athletes selected to represent the men’s team alongside Stephen Mokoka, Thabang Mosiako, and Precious Mashele.

Gelant, who also holds a role as a Human Resources official at the University of North West, firmly believes that South Africa possesses the potential to secure a coveted team medal at the championships.

He commended the diligent efforts of Enoch Skhosana, the chairperson Road Running at Athletics South Africa, in preparing and nurturing the team for the upcoming global competition.  

"The big goal is now obviously the World Half Marathon in Latvia, Riga and the guys have set out targets. I'm so thankful for Enoch Skhosana in terms of the platform and the structure that he already sent," Gelant said.

"We already at several meetings in terms of what is expected of us. It's laid out to say 'We need to go for a medal guys, straightforward' and we look at finer things, small things. 

Our physios, the type of clothing that we need to wear, the caps that we need to wear, the weather. So, all of these things Enoch has already laid down and went on to go do research about small things. 

I mean that's really positive, especially in the light of where we coming from now. We didn't get a medal at the World Champs and he said 'Guys, we need to get a medal'."

At the age of 37, Gelant demonstrated his enduring passion for competition by delivering outstanding performance at both the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k and Hollywoodbets Durban Summer 10km races recently.

In Tshwane, Gelant displayed his prowess with a third-place finish, crossing the finish line in 29:18. He continued to impress in Durban, clinching a brilliant second-place position, clocking 28:04 against the youngsters.