Run Your City 10km organizers offer incentive for Mokoka to break the record

The 40-year-old is aiming to surpass Kenyan Bernard Lagat’s record of 27 minutes and 48 seconds, set in Manchester in 2015.

Mokoka has been training intensely with the goal in mind and welcomed the generous incentive from the organizers. 

However, speaking to SABC Sport, he said that his motivation to break the record goes beyond the prize money, although he appreciates the support.

"No, for me it is just I just had a goal target for myself so it has nothing to do with whatever incentive that is there or what. I'm going to go out there and compete as I said before, for an individual purpose and try to see if I can be able to reach the mark,” Mokoka said.

“I don't necessarily need a certain motivation, I've already motivated myself by setting a target for myself. All I need is just to be healthy and be ready on the day."

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The four-time Olympian, who clocked his fourth-fastest 10km time of 28:06 to claim third place in Cape Town, told the national broadcaster that he is determined to break the long-standing record and cement his place in the history books on home soil next month.

"I mean 10 years ago, it was broken in my presence. When it was broken I wasn't even aware about it but it was broken twice in my presence. I think the first time it was broken was 2013 by Gebrselassie [Haile] when he ran a 28:00 in Manchester, so I ran a 28:12 so I was right behind him. 

Then two years later that's when Bernad went for it, it looked like it was a culture in Manchester where the World Record for Masters was chased by two men. I mean 10 years later I felt that I need to give it a try."