Young aces boost field for Durbs CitySurfRun
Tadese targets sub-27 minute run in 10km race
The inaugural FNB Durban 10K CitySurfRun promises to be a cracker as the race has attracted top runners from across the world.
Ethiopia’s Amdework Tadesem, who finished second in the under-20 race at the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, and Swiss sensation Julien Wanders have been added to the already impressive line-up of athletes who will toe the line on Sunday.
Other stars that have been confirmed so far are Kenya’s duo of Paskalia Chepkorir and Veronica Nyaruai, and London World Championship 10 000m silver medallist Joshua Cheptege, who is also the world’s fastest 12km runner.
The race will start from Masabalala Yengwa Street, next to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and finishes at the Beachfront Precinct next to the iconic arena.
Wanders, who spent around eight months in Eldoret, Kenya, where he was training, is brimming with confidence and is unfazed by the calibre of his opposition on Sunday.
“I will run my best to improve my personal best of 28:49 on the road,” said the 21-year-old, the Swiss national junior record holder in the 5 000m.
Meanwhile, Morris Gachaga has warned that he was targeting a time under 27 minutes.
This would mean running at a pace of 2min:42sec per kilometre or faster if he is to become only the second athlete to dip below the magical 27-minute mark.
“In May I made history by running the fastest ever 12km at the FNB Cape Town 12 OneRun [where he won the race], and I would like to make history again in Durban,’’ said the Kenyan runner.