Some 15 000 runners lined up outside FNB Bank City in Simmonds street on Tuesday 24 September, National Heritage Day, for the fourth running of FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN in near perfect conditions.
The FNB Run Your City Series has become synonymous with bringing in international athletes to compete against South Africa’s best which has gone a long way to raising the standard and competitive edge of the local athletes.
Junior Tadu Nare came within one second of the course record of Irvette van Zyl when she won the race in 33:53. Nare has been in devastating form in South Africa, but it was still a surprise that she would come in ahead of race favourite, Mary Nyaruai Ekiru who boasts a 15:33 5000m at altitude (Nairobi, 1795m). Nare had a 12second winning margin over Ekiru.
Comrades Champion, Gerda Steyn finished third again, but she was 27seconds faster than in 2018, clocking 34:31, boding well for her sub 33-minute onslaught at the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on 13 October.
“I am ecstatic. My year is really going so well,” said Steyn. “I pretty much ran my own race from the gun as Tadu (Nare) and Mary (Ekiru) shot away from us at the start. But I am really happy.”
Steyn has ambitions for the third and final in the FNB Run Your City Series, the FNB Durban 10K CITRYSURFRUN on 13 October. Steyn is eyeing a sub 33min finish.
FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN Results:
Tadu Nare 33:53
Mary Ekiru 34:05
Gerda Steyn 34:31
Glenrose Xaba 35:19
Fortunate Chidzivo 35:46
Photo 1 Caption: Tadu Nare claims gold in the women’s race at the 2019 FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN in a time of 33 minutes 53 seconds on Tuesday, 24 September. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
With editing by gsport
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