Dominique eyes record

Elite distance runner Dominique Scott-Efurd (above) will take a crack at the long-standing national record next month when she makes a rare appearance on home soil at the FNB SurfCityRun 10km race in Durban.

The US-based athlete, who represented South Africa in the 10 000m final on the track at last year’s Rio Olympics, was announced in the women's field yesterday for the inaugural road race.

After clocking a 10km personal best of 32:22 in Boston in June, the 25-year-old athlete flaunted her form by setting a national street mile (1.609km) best of 4:19.60 in New York 10 days ago.

“I’ve had a really good season with the mile showing just how fit I currently am,” Scott-Efurd said.

“My personal best of 32:22 in the 10km should definitely go.”

The athlete believed she could give Elana Meyer’s 16-year-old national record of 31:13 a real shake.

Already holding five SA indoor records on the track, over every distance from 800m to 3 000m, she felt the Durban race would provide an ideal setting for her first attempt at a national mark on the road, with a R300 000 bonus up for grabs.

“I just need to get into the right race ... I know I can go a low 31,” Scott-Efurd said.

Her strongest challenge was expected to come from Ugandan teenager Mercyline Chelangat, who finished 13th in the 10 000m final at the recent World Championships in London.