KAZIMLA MFIKILI
The 10th East London Eye Hospital Laser 10km Challenge kicks off this Saturday, with suspense building as record holders Yanga Malusi and Hanlie Botha remain unconfirmed for the race.
Their absence could open the door for last year’s runners-up, determined to close the narrow gap that kept them from victory.
Real Gijima’s Malusi holds the men’s record with a time of 31:14, and Easy Equities Born 2 Run’s Botha’s record stands at 35:46.
Last year, Nedbank’s Zingisile Marikeni won the men’s race in a time of 34:23, and Botha took first place in the women’s race with 37:06, more than a minute slower than her race record.
Oxford Striders’ Edumisa Mtoli was only 37 seconds shy of first place last year in the men’s race, and hopes to avenge his time of 35:00 on Saturday.
Mtoli has run the laser challenge since 2013 and is a recent silver medallist in the 2024 Two Ocean’s Half Marathon.
His advice for first time participants is to take their time on the hill and make up the lost time on the flat sections.
Possibly without Botha, the women’s race seemed cleared to be taken by local road running 10km favourites Cindy Nel or Caryn Lategaan, however, neither Easy Equities Born 2 Run runner will be entering this year.
This leaves the women’s race open for any of the plethora of talented athletes to claim first place, with a favourite being 2024 UIPM biathle/triathle world champion, Andrea Ranger. The 10th edition of the EL Eye Hospital Laser 10km Challenge also marks 90 years of East London Athletics Club (Elac).
The club’s chair, Graham Reynolds, said the annual Laser Challenge and the huge support it drew from social and experienced runners was an important marker of the club’s staying power within the running community.
Reynolds said: “When the club was founded, there were about two or three other clubs established.
“Now I estimate there’s about 48 clubs in East London. The running community has become bigger but simultaneously has split up drastically.
“Most clubs are no longer as big as they used to be and for a small club like ourselves to be able to host such a huge race at this time of year is testament that we can still compete with our compatriots.”
The Laser Challenge includes a 5km fun run/walk and 10km road race.
The organising committee is anticipating record numbers of participants for both categories.
Rae Kennedy, from the Eye Hospital, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for us to be able to work with Elac for such a long time.
“We can’t believe that it’s actually been a full decade.
“We keep growing together from strength to strength.”
Entries at Sportsman’s Warehouse and online are closed. Runners can enter at the Beacon Bay Country Club between 5-7pm until Friday. Enter using provided QR code, and payment is strictly by EFT.
