South Africa’s latest female running sensation Kesa Molotsane and IAAF Gold Label athlete Nolene Conrad will lead the South African onslaught for the title at next Sunday’s 2018 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.
Conrad confirmed her entry on Tuesday after taking a week’s rest, having run the Vienna Marathon on 22 April.
‘I took some time off after Vienna as I raced the whole of 2017 and until April 2018. That week was good for me as my training picked up immediately and I know I’m in great shape,’ said Conrad.
The 32-year-old ran her personal best time over the half marathon when she represented South Africa at the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia on 24 March, where she crossed the line in 71:44.
‘I ran my half marathon PB off marathon training, so I know I can do something special at the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN. After my rest, my body has fully recovered and I haven’t lost any strength or speed. I’m looking forward to the race.’
Molotsane is South Africa’s latest female running sensation after winning 11 of the 17 races she ran in 2017, five of the those on the road. She has already extended that streak into 2018 with a win at the SA Cross Country Trials in Bloemfontein in January and two 10km road race wins in March in Cape Town (34min 10sec – 25 March), and Port Elizabeth (33:46 – 5 May).
‘I haven’t run over 12km before so I have no idea what to expect,’ said Molotsane (pictured right). ‘I know I’m in great shape and am looking forward to racing, but I really just do not know what to expect.’
Both Conrad and Molotsane are wary of Stella Chesang, the Ugandan who won the Commonwealth 10,000m title last month.
‘It’s great that there will be international competition in the women’s race again this year. We need more of that in South Africa. The girls know each other too well and therefore know how to plan for races,’ says Conrad.
‘But with international competition, it means we can’t watch each other the way we are used to. Stella [Chesang] has run 31:54 for 10km so we know she is really fast.’
Photos: Main picture of Conrad in action at last year’s Cape Town ONERUN and Molotsane by Mark Sampson and KPMG Running Club respectively