Kabelo Mulaudzi to skip Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km

Mulaudzi finally claimed his first victory of the season when he won the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10km on Heritage Day.

 However, the Boxer athlete will not defend his momentum in the Hollywoodbets race because it clashes with the Boxer 5km Durban 5, where he is expected to compete.

The Alexandra-born runner, who is coached by Michael Meyer, will instead focus on the 5km race in KwaZulu-Natal before turning his attention to the inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10km on 25 October.

The 2026 season has been a difficult one for Mulaudzi, with injuries disrupting his preparations. He now wants to stay healthy and end the year on a high. "I won’t be running the Joburg 10km.

My focus for now is the Boxer 5km, which I hope to win. I just want to give my body a little bit of rest and make sure that I am ready and in good condition for another race. I am feeling healthy and injury-free and just want to finish the season on a high note,” Mulaudzi told SABC Sport.

Mulaudzi also has his eyes firmly set on Mangaung, where he hopes to make history by becoming the first winner of the inaugural race in the Free State.

After missing the World Cross Country Championships because of injury in January, the 28-year-old believes ending the season with another victory would be the perfect way to bounce back.

“The plan is to win the race in Mangaung and make history. The goal is to win it, make sure that I end my season well, then go and rest and prepare for what is coming next,” he said.

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Mulaudzi and Meyer are already looking beyond this season. Their long-term plan is to move into the marathon and target qualifying opportunities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The pair will use selected 10km races as part of the build-up before making a serious push for an Olympic marathon qualifying time.