Marathon man could break 10000m record

23 April 2015 - 02:10 By David Isaacson

Stephen Mokoka will break the South African 10000m track record this year, says his coach Michael Seme. Mokoka smashed the 20-year-old 5000m mark at the national championships in Stellenbosch at the weekend.The 30-year-old is a jack of all trades and insists he can master the 10000m, in which he has yet to achieve a qualifying time for the world championships in Beijing in August.So far this year Mokoka's accolades include winning the national cross-country trials and retaining his Two Oceans half- marathon crown.He's also a sub-2hr 10min marathon runner, having competed in the 42km race at the 2012 Olympics, where he finished 49th just behind countryman Lusapho April.The 10000m on the track is regarded as the hardest version of a 10km race - more difficult than cross-country or road-running because the repetitive scenery over 25 laps requires supreme concentration. But this is where the 2013 10000m World Student Games champion says he feels best suited.At the 2011 world championships Mokoka was lapped by the winner in the 10000m, and by the next showpiece in 2013 he had closed the gap to 150m.According to Mokoka, he is likely to be in contention in Beijing, then at the Rio Olympics next year. The only snag is he has yet to beat 27min 45sec to earn the right to race in China. The Olympic qualifying standard is 28min. Mokoka's best is 27:40.73."We need the South African record," Seme said this week, referring to the 27:29.94 mark achieved by Hendrick Ramaala in 1999."He will do it this year."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.