Mpumelelo Mokoena is unfazed by the prospect of a stacked field when he lines up for the 32km men’s race at the Colgate Race at Boksburg City Stadium on May 3, with his sights firmly set on improving his lifetime best over the distance.

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) runner said his race plan will hinge on the pace and strength of the field, with defending champion Bright Mikolongwe, former winners Sakhile Sangweni and Clifford Malatji, as well as last year’s runner-up Doctor Mathole, all likely to be in contention.

“It will depend on the competition,” he said. “Sometimes when you go out too fast, you get drained and it becomes difficult to finish. It’s better to read the race, see what pace the others are setting and respond accordingly.”

Mokoena heads into Boksburg’s marquee road race in red-hot form. He opened his season with a statement victory at the Springs Striders race, winning the 32km on debut in 01:50:03.

He followed that up with a runner-up finish at the Qhubeka AC Half-Marathon in 01:10:10 in Germiston on March 21, before claiming another podium with second place in the men’s 10km at the Benoni Northerns Marathon in 32:38 on April 19.

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“Starting the season with a win in Springs and podium finishes at the Qhubeka AC 21.1km and Benoni Northerns 10km shows that anything is possible if you keep pushing and training hard. It has boosted my confidence to go for it again at the Colgate Race,” said Mokoena.

With a field likely to be packed with proven performers who know the course well, Mokoena admits he will have to dig deep if he is to take line honours. However, he plans to stick to the same approach that earned him victory on his 32km debut in Springs in January.

In that race, Mokoena faced a stern challenge from the experienced Mathole after halfway, but managed to keep him at bay, using his finishing speed to seal the win.

“The same strategy will help me stay with the leaders in the first lap. The second lap will be decisive, especially since it will be my first time on this course. Even if the field is strong, I will use what I have to fight for a podium finish.”

Mokoena believes his balanced training programme, combining endurance and speed, will be key as he tackles the 32km double-lap course, aiming to cross the line inside Boksburg Stadium in winning fashion.

The event, organised by Boksburg Athletic Club, includes 32km and 15km races, which get underway at 06:30, and a 5km fun run scheduled to start at 07:00.

Also Read: Mikolongwe revels in victory at Colgate Race