Lizandre Mulder counting on home-ground advantage in Mangaung 10km

With just two weeks to go before the much-anticipated race, the University of the Free State PhD student is excited about competing on familiar roads in Bloemfontein, where family and friends will be cheering her on.

For Mulder, the race is about more than just chasing a good time.

It is also an opportunity to be part of a historic day for road running in the Free State, which rarely hosts events of this size.

The much-anticipated race will start at Sir Goerge Grey Street exit of Grey College and finish at Kings Way in Mangaung at 7 am.

The Boxer Athletics Club runner heads into the race with plenty of confidence after setting a personal best of 35:18 at the Spar Women’s 10km Challenge in Durban in June.

She also claimed bronze at the Athletics South Africa Cross Country Championships last month.

Mulder, who is the University Sport South Africa 3000m steeplechase champion and an ASA senior track and field silver medallist, is looking forward to testing herself against a strong field of local and international athletes.

She is also hoping the course will give her an opportunity to improve her personal best.

“I haven’t seen the official racecourse, as it hasn’t 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,” Mulder told SABC Sport.

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The excitement around the race is already building in the City of Roses, with the local running community eager to welcome one of the country’s popular road-running series to the province.

Mulder believes the event could help grow the sport locally and inspire more young athletes to take up road running.

“The Bloemfontein road-running community is just different from any other place I’ve ever been. The whole of Bloemfontein is extremely excited to be hosting a race of this calibre because we’re not used to having such big races in the Free State. I’m 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.” 

For Mulder, the inaugural Mangaung race presents the perfect opportunity to showcase the province’s running talent while giving local athletes a chance to shine on home soil.