Kabelo Mulaudzi aims to reclaim his “Mr Podium” title at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10K after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Taylor Kavannagh is the favourite in the women’s race, seeking to capitalise on her recent form and confidence. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
For so long, the crown of “Mr Podium” sat comfortably on Kabelo Mulaudzi’s head. But this year, the Boxer Athletic Club star has found himself fighting to keep hold of it.
A hamstring injury during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Durban 10km race disrupted Mulaudzi’s road-racing campaign and, despite his strong performances on the track, he has yet to secure a podium finish on the road this year.
Now, the 10km specialist is hoping Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Durban 10K will provide the perfect stage to reclaim his throne.
Mulaudzi says the injury is behind him, but admits returning to competition came with a mental hurdle.
Mulaudzi tells me during the launch of the race that has attracted a massive 15 000 entries at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Friday morning: “I’m fully recovered, just that I have had to go back to the drawing board to boost my confidence again.”
That confidence was tested during his recent race in Pretoria – the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Tshwane. Having only recently returned from the hamstring problem, Mulaudzi approached the race cautiously, unsure whether the injury might resurface.
“In Pretoria, I can say I was taking it easy because I was coming from a hamstring. So when I was running, I was scared I might pull it again,” he explains.
Those fears, however, were eased when he came through the race without problems.
“I saw that I’m fine,” he says, the delight of having come through unscathed palpable in his voice.
Now, there is no room for caution.
“This weekend I have to go all out,” Mulaudzi declares “Obviously it is not going to be an easy one. But something’s gotta give.”
Durban is a venue where the Boxer star has enjoyed considerable success, making Sunday’s race an important opportunity to turn his season around. His connection with the city runs deep, with Mulaudzi recalling that he claimed his first 10km victory in the KaZulu-Natal city in 2023 and even returned to add another later that same year.
“I always do well because my first win, I won herre in Durban – my first Abssa. Then the same year I won again, the Hollywood race in 2023 that’s why I want to run well.”
The pressure, he knows, will be intense. But Mulaudzi believes he has the experience to handle it.
“The competition is always there, the pressure is always there, but I have to handle myself. I know what to do.”
And his ambition is clear. He has not travelled to Durban simply to return to the podium.
“Honestly, I want to finish first,” he says, unflinchingly.
As for the clock, Mulaudzi has set himself a clear target: “If I can run under 28:10, I’ll be happy.”
On Sunday, “Mr Podium” gets another chance to put his crown firmly back in place.
In the women’s race, host club and local girl Taylor Kavannagh should start as the favourite given the current great form she’s in.
Speaking at the conference, the Hollywood Athletics Club starlet who now coaches herself spoke fondly of the support she receives from her mother who was at the event.
Kavannagh explained that she has found consistency in her running which has in turn imbued her with immense confidence.
“And with confidence comes better performances.”
Hence she’s ‘looking forward to Sunday’s race’.
I now race more fiercely because I’ve gained confidence and I know my ability. I race differently now. In the past I used to be shy but now I am bravve. I’d like to run fast on Sunday even though the weather forecast is not that good. I want to run fast and will take into account what the weather holds because they are predicting a windy morning so I don’t want to spend energy fighting the wind. I look forward to seeing who I can race with so we make it fun and fast.”
She should get some competition from former champion and her Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Neheng Khathala as well as upcoming starlet Karabo More of Boxer Athletics Club.
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