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World class athletes added to CTown’s ONERUN

Kenya’s Moses Masai, Emmanuel Bett, Moses Kipsiro and Ethiopia’s Yigrem Demelash will line up to run the inaugural FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN on Sunday, 17 May 2015.


This announcement follows last week’s news that one of the world’s best ever middle distance athletes, Vivian Cheruiyot, will also take part and it will be the first time that South African athletes have had the chance to race against this calibre of athlete on home soil.

“Until now they have had to travel abroad for this kind of depth, and we firmly believe that by giving our athletes the opportunity to race at this level at home, we will be helping to raise the standard in South Africa. The names we announce today further reinforce our stance that the 2015 field for the event, is the strongest field ever assembled for a road running event in South Africa, and will be the perfect test for South Africa’s best athletes,” said Michael Meyer of Stillwater Sports.

Three of these athletes have clocked under 27 minutes in the 10 000m with Moses Masai being the twentieth fastest ever over the 10 000m with a time of 26:49.20. Bett has recorded 26:15.16 and Demelash 26:57.56. Two of them ran these times in the Diamond League in Brussels in 2012, with Bett winning the race in a personal best and Demelash finishing fourth overall.

In addition, Moses Kipsiro is the reigning 10 000m Commonwealth Champion, and multiple world cross country medalist.

Demelash is an exciting prospect, having burst onto the athletics scene in 2011. His 28:44 for the 10km in Addis Ababa at the Great Ethiopian Run (2 300m altitude) was just a taste of what was to come.

Masai has twice dipped under 27 minutes in the 10 000m, the first time in 2007, when he clocked his personal best in Brussels at the Diamond League where he finished second.  He again broke the magical mark two years later in Berlin, clocking 26:57.39.  He has also won Bronze in 2009 at the World Championships in the 10 000m and was fourth the year before at the Olympics Games.

Demelash and Masai will be joined by Emmanual Bett, the fastest 10 000m runner in the world in 2012, with a time of 26:51. He is also considered one of the most versatile athletes, with major race victories on all surfaces.

South Africa’s star athletes Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant and Lusapho April will have their hands full with the international contingent. Cape Townians can expect an exciting battle on South African soil.Michael Meyer, from Stillwater Sports added that additional world class athletes are expected to be announced shortly, and that further announcements will be made in due course.

EVENT INFORMATION:  FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN

Excitement builds as Cape Town prepares to host what is sure to become one of the largest and most celebrated sporting events in South Africa, the much anticipated FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.

Date: Sunday, 17 May 2015
Time: 10:00
Start Venue: Woodbridge Island, c/o R27 and Loxton Road, Milnerton (Cape Town)
Finish Venue: FNB Portside Building, c/o Mechau and Bree Streets (Cape Town, CBD)
Entry Fee (Standard Individual Package): R120 / licenced runner, including chip
R140 / temporary licence, including chip
Entries Close: Friday, 01 May 2015

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