By Adnaan Mohamed
Teenage middle-distance runner Mpho Katiso believes the sold-out Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K could provide the perfect platform to announce herself on South Africa’s road running stage.
The 19-year-old will make her debut in the popular series on Sunday, 23 August, lining up against many of the country’s leading distance runners on the fast streets around Pretoria’s Union Buildings.
“I have never competed in any of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races before,” Katiso said.
“But I’d love to be there to feel the huge energy of a big race on a fast course. I’m looking forward to competing against the top elites again.”
Katiso, a Tshwane University of Technology student and former Prestige College learner, recently joined Violet and Caster Semenya’s elite women’s training squad.
The group includes South African road running star Glenrose Xaba, reigning African 1500m champion Karabo More and 2024 FISU World University Cross Country champion Karabo Mailula, giving the teenager daily exposure to some of the country’s best female athletes.
“Being part of coach Caster and Violet’s training group feels hard, but it’s also inspiring because you get mentorship, focus, discipline and you also learn to believe in yourself,” she said.
“I’m growing as a person and not only as an athlete. Glenrose, Karabo More and Karabo Mailula are more like sisters than training partners because we stick together and push each other. Training with them encourages me and I’ve learnt to show up even when it’s hard.”
Although she specialises in the 1500m, where she owns a personal best of 4:27.92, Katiso has shown encouraging progress over longer distances.
She claimed bronze at the national 5km championships in Gqeberha in June with a lifetime best of 16:48 before finishing 13th overall and first junior in 36:52 at the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane earlier this month.
The youngster hopes Sunday’s race will produce another significant step forward.
“Competing against seniors feels exciting and scary at the same time because everyone looks so confident, and you’re standing there with a ‘J’ tag on,” Katiso said.
“It teaches you about pacing and race tactics, and you also learn how to be mentally tough. It forces you to run with more courage and realise what’s possible. You have to believe in yourself.”
“My target for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is to challenge myself throughout the race and push my limits. The main target is to run a PB, and not only any PB, I’ll be targeting a massive PB.”
Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer said the series continues to provide an important pathway for emerging athletes.
“We’re excited to welcome Mpho Katiso to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series for the first time,” Meyer said.
“At only 19 years old, she has already demonstrated tremendous potential. Experiences like these will play an important role in her development.”
With the Tshwane race already sold out, Katiso will have an opportunity to measure herself against South Africa’s elite while chasing the biggest personal best of her young career.
