Steyn sharpens, Mosiako shines at Joburg 10K

By Adnaan Mohamed

Johannesburg’s streets turned into a purple battleground on Saturday as South Africa’s finest lined up against East African pace at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K.

Elite start of the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

The second edition of the well-organised race started and finished at the historic Wanderers Club. The popular 10km and 5km sold-out event attracted a whopping 8000 participants, who enjoyed the warm, windless, conditions over a challenging hilly route through the streets of Illovo and Sandton.

Kenya’s Frida Ndinda claimed the women’s crown in 35:18. The 24-year-old Kenyan just managed to hold off off the fast finishing 35-year-old South African ultra-marathon queen, Gerda Steyn, who clocked 35:52 for second. Tuks youngster Karabo Mailula, 23, completed the podium in 36:12.

For Steyn, a four-time Comrades and six-time Two Oceans Marathon champion, the Joburg10K was less about silverware and more about sharpening speed ahead of next month’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.

“The race went off so fast, I decided to hold back early,” she said.

“I worked my way through, got into second, and could see the leader, but ran out of road. I’m very happy with how strong I felt.”

The men’s race was a very different story. Thabang Mosiako, South Africa’s half-marathon champion, blasted from the gun and never looked back, storming to victory in 29:45.

National marathon champion Bennet Seloyi (30:00) was second, with the evergreen Stephen Mokoka (30:04) in third.

Thabang Mosiako Photo: Hollywood AC

“I told myself I’m going from the start,” Mosiako said.

“With guys like Stephen, you can’t wait … this madala doesn’t want to get old. Breaking 30 here was a surprise, but it shows my shape is coming back.”

For Steyn, it was a steady tune-up. For Mosiako, a statement of intent. And for Joburg, another reminder that the city’s streets remain a proving ground for champions.

Male

View All Male

Pos Name Time
1 Thabang MOSIAKO 00:29:44
2 Bennett SELOYI 00:29:59
3 Stephen MOKOKA 00:30:03
4 Namakoe NKHASI 00:30:09
5 Chris MHLANGA 00:30:25
6 Simon SIBEKO 00:30:32
7 Tsietse SELLO 00:30:33
8 Pakiso MTHEMBU 00:30:35
9 Lebenya NKOKA 00:30:37
10 Cwenga NOSE 00:30:43

Female

View All Female

Pos Name Time
1 Fridah NDINDA 00:35:17
2 Gerda STEYN 00:35:51
3 Karaboá MAILULA 00:36:11
4 Dikeledi MAJARA 00:36:31
5 Cacisile SOSIBO 00:37:06
6 Nobukhosi TSHUMA 00:38:32
7 Rutendo NYAHORA 00:39:03
8 Melinda JANSEN VAN VUUREN 00:39:09
9 Ntsoaki MOLAHLOEÁ 00:39:14
10 Melissa JANSEN VAN VUUREN 00:40:03

FULL HOLLYWOODBETS JOBURG 10K 2025 RESULTS

Around 8000 participants painted the streets of Sandton, Illovo and Melrose purple at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

Teenager tastes glory at Hollywood Durban 10km

By Adnaan Mohamed

Kamohelo Mofolo turned the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km into his personal victory lap, storming away from the pack like a runaway train on Saturday morning. The 19-year-old from Lesotho, already his nation’s 10km record-holder, lit up Kingsmead Cricket Stadium as he broke the tape in 27:58 leaving 12,000 competitors trailing in his slipstream.

With compatriot Tebello Ramakongoana absent, Mofolo carried the Mountain Kingdom’s flag high, ensuring the crown never left Lesotho’s grasp. Running in the colours of Durban’s Xcel Running Club, he made it back-to-back victories for his country, clocking the fastest stride of the day.

South Africa’s finest tried to reel him in, but Mofolo was simply out of reach. Kabelo “Mr Podium” Mulaudzi ( 28:01) chased hard, finishing just three seconds adrift, while Thabang Mosiako (28:03) sprinted home another two seconds later. Both men held on to his shadow but could never quite close the gap.

Mofolo’s race was bold from the gun. Just after 2km, he hit the accelerator, opening daylight between himself and the chasers. Even when stiff coastal winds blew across the route after 6km, slowing his record attempt, his lead never wavered.

“I realised the record was gone, but I focused on protecting my lead,” he said.

The teenager’s decision to skip the Absa Tshwane 10km the week before was a tactical masterstroke by saving his legs for Durban’s big stage. The gamble paid off handsomely, as he surged through the final kilometre in a blistering 2:40, sealing the title and the R35,700 prize.

“Yes, I said earlier this week that I wanted to win,” Mofolo smiled, breathless but triumphant.

“Everything went according to plan, and I am just so happy.”

For Mulaudzi, the runner-up spot was yet another podium finish in a career built on consistency.

“The race was tactical. I’m happy with my time, but today belonged to Kamohelo,” he admitted.

Mosiako, meanwhile, was elated with third.

“I was with Kabelo until halfway, but it got tough. To still finish top three in 28:03 makes me really happy,” he said.

On Durban’s flat, fast streets, Mofolo showed he is no longer just a promising prospect but a genuine force. At just 19, he has already proven he can set the pace and leave even the strongest rivals chasing shadows.

Men’s Top 10 Results

1 Kamohelo MOFOLO 00:27:57
2 Kabelo MULAUDZI 00:28:01
3 Thabang MOSIAKO 00:28:03
4 Matlakala Bennett SELOYI 00:28:04
5 Bongelani MKHWANAZI 00:28:08
6 Cwenga NOSE 00:28:10
7 Stephen MOKOKA 00:28:16
8 Simon SIBEKO 00:28:18
9 Siyabonga NDLOVU 00:28:21
10 Chris MHLANGA 00:29:0

Dreams Do Come True

It’s been a fantastic year for Thabang Mosiako, with scintillating performances over the 10km and half marathon distances that have thrust him into the top three or four on the all-time South African performance lists. He recently led Team South Africa to a bronze medal at the World Road Running Champs, and there appears to be more to come from this prodigiously talented athlete, but it wasn’t so very long ago that he was in despair and thinking of hanging up his running shoes for good. – BY Manfred  Seidler