{"id":7381,"date":"2026-10-07T16:43:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T14:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=193201"},"modified":"2026-10-07T16:43:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T14:43:58","slug":"khatala-set-for-mangaung-debut-as-mulder-encourages-runners-to-experience-the-free-states-rich-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/khatala-set-for-mangaung-debut-as-mulder-encourages-runners-to-experience-the-free-states-rich-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Khatala Set for Mangaung Debut as Mulder Encourages Runners to Experience the Free State\u2019s Rich Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lesotho\u2019s Neheng Khatala is relishing the opportunity to compete in a world-class race so close to home. Meanwhile, local favourite Lizandre Mulder hopes the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K on Sunday, 25 October 2026, will inject fresh energy into athletics in the City of Roses and inspire a new generation of runners.<\/p>\n

As one of the most consistent 10km performers on the South African road-running scene, Khatala is eager to put her best foot forward in front of her loyal travelling supporters when she lines up for her first race in a city just 150km from Maseru, the capital of her native Lesotho.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am really excited because Mangaung feels close to home. This will be my first time racing in Mangaung, so I am really looking forward to the experience. Being from Lesotho, having the opportunity to race so close to Maseru is special because I know there will be people from home who can come out and support me,\u201d says Khatala, who runs in the colours of Hollywood Athletics Club and is in excellent 10km form this season.<\/p>\n

The Mountain Kingdom\u2019s fastest 10km athlete of all time (32:01) has run under 32:10 four times this season, while continuing to perform admirably over the ultra-marathon distance. Khatala, who recently joined American coach James McKirdy\u2019s stable, took eighth position at the Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON in April, underlining her impressive range as a distance runner. She says her consistency stems from a holistic approach to running.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think consistency comes from staying disciplined and trusting the process. It has been a really positive new chapter for me. I am still learning and building with my coach. Every race is different, so I try not to put too much pressure on myself to chase a time every time I compete. I focus on executing my race well and giving my best on the day. I am looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere, representing Lesotho proudly and hopefully giving the people back home something to be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also aiming to take advantage of the local support is hometown favourite Lizandre Mulder. The 2025 University Sports South Africa 3000m Steeplechase champion and two-time ASA Senior Track & Field Championships silver medallist has made a strong transition to the 10km this season. She clocked a 35:18 personal best at the SPAR Women\u2019s Challenge Durban in June before claiming bronze in the senior women\u2019s 10km at the ASA Cross Country Championships last month. Mulder is now looking forward to racing on what appears to be a quick course.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen the official race course, as it hasn\u2019t been made publicly available yet, but considering that it starts at Grey College High School and ends close to our mall, athletes can expect fast times on the course,\u201d says the Boxer Athletics Club runner.<\/p>\n

More than simply chasing another personal best, the University of the Free State PhD student hopes the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K will showcase the best of the Free State while creating new opportunities for runners in the province.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bloemfontein road-running community is just different from any other place I\u2019ve ever been. The whole of Bloemfontein is extremely excited to be hosting a race of this calibre because we\u2019re not used to having such big races in the Free State. I\u2019m sure the vibe will be phenomenal! I hope this race exceeds all expectations and that everyone travelling from far and wide gets to experience and enjoy the culture of the Free State.\u201d<\/p>\n

With excitement building across Mangaung and beyond, Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, believes the inaugural event will bring together athletes and communities from across the region:<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving athletes of Neheng and Lizandre\u2019s calibre lining up for our inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K is incredibly exciting. Neheng\u2019s connection to Lesotho and the strong support she is expecting from across the border, together with Lizandre\u2019s pride in representing her hometown, perfectly captures what this race is about. We want to create a world-class racing experience while giving athletes and communities from across the region an opportunity to come together and celebrate the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Sunday 01 March 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Elite Men\u2019s Winner: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:47
Elite Women\u2019s Winner: Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 30:15<\/p>\n

2. Sunday 10 May 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST<\/p>\n

3. Sunday 12 July 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Elite Men\u2019s Winner: Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) 27:19
Elite Women\u2019s Winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 30:43<\/p>\n

4. Sunday 23 August 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Elite Men\u2019s Winner: Salem Kibet (Kenya) 28:45
Elite Women\u2019s Winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 31:35<\/p>\n

5. Thursday 24 September 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Elite Men\u2019s Winner: Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) 28:48
Elite Women\u2019s Winner: Deborah Chemutai (Kenya) 32:50<\/p>\n

6. Sunday 25 October 2026 \/ Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K
Start Time: 07:00
Start Venue: Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College
Finish Venue: Kings Way (Bloemfontein)
Entry Fee: R 255 (Licensed Runner)
Temp License Fee: R70<\/p>\n

Facebook: @Gqeberha10k \/ @CapeTown10k \/ @Durban10k \/ @Tshwane10k \/ @Joburg10k \/ @Mangaung 10K
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k \/ @CapeTown10k \/ @Durban10k \/ @Tshwane10k \/ @Joburg10k \/ @Mangaung 10K
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Author<\/strong>: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA<\/a> on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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CLICK HERE to Read the Original Press Release on MyPR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lesotho\u2019s Neheng Khatala is relishing the opportunity to compete in a world-class race so close to home. Meanwhile, local favourite Lizandre Mulder hopes the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K on Sunday, 25 October 2026, will inject fresh energy into athletics in the City of Roses and inspire a new generation of runners. As …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[{"did":"did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic","date":"2026-10-07T16:17:02+00:00","uri":"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mxcdt2bxjf2g","response":"{\"uri\":\"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mxcdt2bxjf2g\",\"cid\":\"bafyreiexibjid5pr67dbdfq5iejclsxvwh4rvmtfb2ukjylk4czutnlqci\",\"commit\":{\"cid\":\"bafyreiddw2lba5spvnt6udr3esqyyr2bstcw5fgozm3by2vowiqmhadtda\",\"rev\":\"3mxcdt2c6e52g\"},\"validationStatus\":\"valid\"}"}],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"republication-tracker-tool-hide-widget":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[29],"class_list":["type-post","category-news","tag-mypr-africa","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7381\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}