Saturday 13 September marks the second running of the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km. Thathe Msimango looks at the Hollywood Athletics Club athletes who could make a splash!
Starting just outside DP Wanderers Cricket Stadium and finishing on the Grounds of the Wanderers Cricket Club, the race sold out the 8 000 entries three weeks ago. The country’s fastest athletes will compete for top honours and the R37 500 for first prize in this prestigious event.
The Hollywood Athletics Club will be represented by a strong team of athletes, led by Stephen Mokoka, who is aiming to make a significant impact in the race. The 40-year-old is one of the favourites to clinch the title, having previously finished seventh last year with a time of 30:16. He will be eager to improve his performance this time around on the new route.
Mokoka recently posted an impressive time of 28:46 at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race last month, finishing seventh against a strong field of competitors. His consistent performances highlight his over two-decade-long running career, marking the third time this season he has finished under 29 minutes in the 10km distance.
In May, he achieved an SB of 28:06 during Absa Run Your City race in Cape Town, placing third. He then recorded a time of 28:37 in the Absa Run Your City Durban 10km but finished in 13th place. Joining Mokoka in the men’s team are Reghen Magwai, who is eager to showcase his speed, and Sikhumbuzo Seme, a long-distance specialist well-suited to the challenging course.
In the Women’s team, multiple Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon champion Gerda Steyn is set to make her anticipated debut in the race. The 35-year-old Steyn is preparing for the Cape Town Marathon next month and is expected to perform well on the hilly and demanding course. Rutendo Nyahora aims to leverage her experience racing in Johannesburg to challenge for a spot in the top 10. The team also includes the Van Vuuren twins, Melissa and Melinda, who will play key roles.
Ahead of the race, Hollywood Athletics Club Elite Athlete Manager Manfred Sielder expressed his excitement about the squad the club is sending to compete. He predicts a strong debut for Steyn.
“I’m very excited to see Gerda run our race in Johannesburg for the first time. She knows the area, and it’s a course that suits her. Don’t be surprised if she surprises the speedsters. On the men’s side, Stephen Mokoka is deep in marathon training and is using the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km to fine-tune his preparations,” said Seidler.
