Kabelo Mulaudzi gears up for the biggest race of his road running career

The race gets underway at 7am and features one of the strongest men's fields ever assembled on African soil, led by two-time Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei. Nicknamed "Mr Podium" for his consistent performances on the local road running circuit, Mulaudzi says the event gives South Africa's top runners the perfect chance to measure themselves against the world's best and see how much they have improved.

"This weekend, for me personally, it's a big weekend because they have invited world-class athletes, so I think it's going to be a good one. Honestly, so far, since I came back from overseas, I have prepared very well. I am ready physically and mentally, so ja, you can say that so far in South Africa we are growing because we are now running 27 every year, and most of the athletes are improving. They are running 27, 28, so ja, we are improving," said Mulaudzi.

READ: Joshua Cheptegei eager to make history on African soil

The 28-year-old, who became the first athlete to win four races in a single Absa Run Your City series last year, says Durban has always brought out the best in him. While he has enjoyed success in the city before, he knows Sunday's race will be his toughest challenge yet because of the world-class field.

"Honestly, I have good memories here in Durban. I think I have won two ABSA titles here in Durban. So every time I come here, I always want to do well. As I said, for me personally, it's a good opportunity for other athletes to race against the world-class athlete Cheptegei because I think he is a good guy. He is going to push us to ultimately run personal bests, so I am looking forward to that."

Mulaudzi says he grew up watching Cheptegei dominate world athletics on television. 

Now, after admiring the Ugandan star as a junior athlete, he is excited to line up against one of the greatest distance runners of his generation on South African soil.

After missing the Gqeberha leg of the series in March because of a lower back injury, Mulaudzi says he has fully recovered and is in much better condition. 

The Cape Town race was later cancelled because of bad weather, giving him extra time to prepare for Durban.

The Alexandra-born athlete, coached by Richard Meyer, says his performances in the Absa Run Your City series also opened international doors. 

Earlier this year he received an invitation to compete in a half-marathon in Manchester, an opportunity he believes came through the exposure he has gained from the series.