Johannesburg’s running community is gearing up for a fast and fiercely competitive morning when the Boxer Super Runbrings its 5km spectacle to Emmarentia on Sunday, 15 November, with Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs among the athletes hoping to steal the spotlight.
Both runners will make their Boxer Super Run Joburg debuts, with Tladi eyeing a top-three finish on home soil and Jacobs determined to improve on her previous podium performance in Durban.
Tladi, who representsBoxer Athletics Club and hails from Bramley, arrives in impressive form after winning the men’s 5km road race at the Region 5 Marathon in Tshwane during the first weekend of November.
His winning time of 13:53 put him ahead of Musawenkosi Mnisi and Zenzile Pheko, giving him a timely confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s elite showdown.
The Johannesburg runner is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of a challenging course.
“I think the Boxer Super Run is a good event that will really suit me if there are hills. My goal in Joburg is to finish in the top three, with my ultimate goal being to become one of the best at the Boxer Super Run,” says Tladi.
Modupi Tladi by Cecilia van Bers
The 5km specialist will face a strong field, with the elite races expected to produce an intense battle for the men’s and women’s titles.
Jacobs, who travels from Somerset West, will also be looking to make an impression in the Elite Women’s Wave.
The 5km is her favourite distance, and she believes the Boxer Super Run provides an ideal platform for elite athletes to challenge one another while delivering an exciting spectacle for spectators.
“The 5km is my favourite distance, and the Boxer Super Run, irrespective of the city in which it takes place, is always a fun event with amazing support,” says Jacobs.
“I jumped at the opportunity to take part in the Boxer Super Run in Joburg because it gives us the opportunity to race against some of South Africa’s best athletes while pushing each other to faster times.”
Jacobs has already demonstrated her ability to compete for honours, finishing third at the Durban edition. She now has her sights firmly set on climbing higher on the podium.
“To get the most out of yourself over the 5km distance, you need to train smart, listen to your body and stick to your race plan,” she says.
“I finished third at the Boxer Super Run in Durban, so I will be looking to improve on that performance and move up the podium.”
“Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs are both exciting additions to the Boxer Super Run Joburg elite line-up, and it will be interesting to see what they can achieve over the 5km distance,” says Meyer.
“With a strong field expected, we’re looking forward to some exciting racing and another memorable edition of the Boxer Super Run in Johannesburg.”
“Seeing runners like Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs stepping up to compete against some of South Africa’s best is extremely rewarding,” says Pillay.
“The Boxer Super Run is also about creating opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy running, challenge themselves and be part of an incredible community experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Joburg for another fantastic celebration of running.”
The 5km event starts on Orange Road in Emmarentia, with the finish at Marks Park Sports Club.
The Open Wave gets underway at 07:00, followed by the Super Social Waves between 08:00 and 09:30. The Elite Women’s race starts at 09:45, with the Elite Men following at 10:00. A 1km Kids Race completes the programme at 10:30.
Entries are officially sold out, underlining the popularity of an event that combines elite competition with mass participation.
For Tladi, the challenge is to turn recent gold-medal form into a memorable home-city performance. For Jacobs, it is an opportunity to convert a previous podium finish into something even better.
Five kilometres will provide the answer, and neither will have much time to negotiate once the starting gun fires.
