Super fast times dominated the inaugural Absa Run Your City Gqberha 10K in early April.

Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo was chasing the SA Allcomers Record of 27:16 run by Joshua Cheptegei in 2018, but had to settle for his best time on South African soil, finishing in 27:23. Behind him Precious Mashele was having the race of his life as he flew across the line in 27:35 to break the eight-year-old SA Record of Stephen Mokoka (27:38 in 2015).

Mashele dragged Thabang Mosiako to a massive personal best of 27:52, setting a new Eastern Province record. Mashele’s previous best time was 28:11 run in 2022, while Mosiako took a whopping 34 seconds off his previous best of 28:26.

“I knew I was in shape after the World Cross Country Championships (Mashele equalled his best performance by finishing 16^th), so I wanted to chase the SA record,” said Mashele. “I know I have gone to another level now, so I am excited about what is to come, especially for the rest of the Absa Run Your City Series in 2023”.

In breaking 28 minutes, Mashele and Mosiako South Africa now boasts four athletes who have dipped under the 28 minute mark in the last eight years. Mashele, Mosiako and Maxime Chaumeton (27:58 – 2022 Absa Run Your City Durban 10K) are part of a new generation who are taking the sport into a new era. They are also the only three who have run under 28 minutes on South African soil, Mokoka having set the former SA Record in Manchester in 2015.

Mashele has been sponsored by PUMA since 2021 and broke the record wearing PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite Elektrocharged running shoes. The is a comfortable and stable carbon super shoe with an aggressive sole design that encourages a fast turnover.

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