25 Jul
By Jacky McClean
South Africa’s 10km Record Holder, Precious Mashele has a score to settle with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and what better time to do so than at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday 27 August 2023.
In an endeavor to ensure that the pace was honest and fast, Mashele took it on himself to do all the running at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K that was hosted early in July. The result, three South Africans ran Sub–28 in windy and blustery conditions. The tactic, however, cost him a place on the podium. A place he has no intention of missing out on in Tshwane come Sunday 27 August.
“We needed a fast time, so I went for it. Durban is always fast, so we had to run fast, and I felt I needed to push the pace,” said Mashele, running in the colors of Boxer Athletics Club and PUMA South Africa. “Three of my brothers ran Sub–28 so I am happy to have been able to help them run that fast.”
Mashele’s focus now shifts to the hillier and more challenging Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K route. The challenge doesn’t fazethe South African 10km Record Holder.
“I like tough courses. I run well on tough courses,” admits Mashele. Proof of that claim is that Mashele has won the South African Cross Country Trials on five occasions and has twice been the South African Champion over the rugged Cross-Country terrain. He is also the third best ever South African performer at a World Cross Country Championships with his 16th place in Bathurst, Australia set earlier this year.
Mashele is keenly anticipating the first running of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. “It is the first running of the event, so I want to be the first winner,” says Mashele. “I am training hard for this race and will be ready.”
With a prize purse of R30 000 for the winner, the competition will no doubt once again be fierce, but for Mashele it is not all about the win and the prize money, even though it is important to him. He enjoys the feeling of rubbing shoulders with those who are out for a day of fun and enjoyment.
“I always like running at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races. For me, after my race, I get to spend time with those who do not race the way we do, and I love hearing their experiences. It also helps to motivate me.”
“We are excited to welcome all runners, elite and social, to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K,” says Michael Meyer Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “We are committed to creating an unforgettable experience that inspires a passion for athletics and sparking a culture of health and well-being. In addition to showcasing the beauty of its host city, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K will also provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level. We can’t wait to paint the streets of Tshwane red on Sunday 27 August.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
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Date: |
Sunday 27 August 2023 |
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Start Time: |
08:00 |
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Start & Finish Venue: |
Union Buildings (Government Ave, Pretoria) |
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Entry Fee: |
• Licenced Runners R240.00
• Non Licenced Runner R240.00 plus Temp Licence R50.00
Standard Entry Includes: • Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Peak Cap
• Absa Drawstring Bag
• Absa Socks
• Absa Shoelaces
• DHL Water Bottle
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Route Entertainment Points
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal
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CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K online, runners and walkers can choose to support three local charities: Reach for A Dream, Cotlands and the Tshwane SPCA.
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series boasts an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1 560 000.00 in 2023. Each of the five events will be assigned R312 000.00 in prize money of which R252 000.00 will be allocated towards the Open Category (R126 000.00 going to Top 10 Open Men’s and R126 000.00 to Top 10 Open Women’s), and R60 000 towards Age Categories (Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69 and 70+ Age Categories). To view the prize purse breakdown please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
WIN A CHERY TIGGO 4 PRO URBAN VEHICLE: One lucky entrant will go home with a stylish Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Urban Vehicle valued at over R308 900.00 compliments of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and event partners Chery South Africa and Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. To be in the running to win this fantastic prize the following three boxes need to be ticked: you need to enter the event (and pay the entry fee), collect your race number (during the stipulated race pack collection times) and be on the start line on event day.
Facebook: @Tshwane10K
Instagram: @Tshwane10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
