Kenyan sensation Langat eyes second bite
Fresh from his triumph in “The Friendly City” at the Absa Run your City Gqeberha 10km last month, Kenya’s Vincent Langat is set to make a return next Sunday. This time, he has his sights set on the iconic Cape Town series of the competition.
“I have been well. I just went on with training without any problems,” said Langat, who produced his fastest 10km clocking in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in what was his first official race outside Kenya.
But Langat has since improved on the mark he set in the April 7 race in Gqeberha.
Last week, the man who claimed a top 10 finish in the 10km at the 2024 Kenyan Cross Country trials took fifth place at the Adizero Road to Records in Germany in a lightening quick 27:11.
Armed with this new lifetime best, Langat is high on confidence and optimistic about breaking the 28-minute barrier once again when he lines up in “The Mother City” on Mother’s Day.
“It was very nice to cross the finish line as the first finisher (referring to his performance Gqeberha). I hoped for a faster time, but the circumstances didn’t allow it. I want to win another race in South Africa! And try to better my PB,” said Langat.
When he won in the Eastern Cape, Langat saw off a strong challenge from Precious Mashele, who eventually faded into third place as he was passed by a fast-finishing Elroy Gelant.
In Cape Town, the East African will face a new opponent in Kabelo Mulaudzi. Although injury forced Mulaudzi out of the first race, he has recovered and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve recovered from the injury and have been training well,” said Mulaudzi. “I’m just focusing on my race because I know it’s not going to be an easy one. I’m racing against the best in the country; the likes of Mashele, Stephen Mokoka and Gelant. But for now, I’m focusing on my race. If I can get a top five or top three podium position, I would be happy. I’m looking forward to giving my best.”