Elroy Gelant targets podium at Boxer Super Run 5km

The race has already sold out, with more than 5,000 runners expected to take part. The elite women’s race starts at 9:45am, followed by the men’s race 15 minutes later.

Gelant, who runs for Boxer Running Club, has enjoyed a relatively quiet year, missing some of the country’s major road-running events, including the Absa Run Your City 10km series and the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km.

However, the three-time Olympian is determined to make his mark in Johannesburg as he targets a podium finish in the country’s highest-paying 5km race, with R20,000 on offer to the winner. 

The 40-year-old, who is also a lecturer at North-West University, is looking forward to testing himself against younger runners, including rising star Zenzile Pheko. He expects the challenging, hilly route to make the race even more competitive.

Despite years of competing at the highest level for 20 years, Gelant says his hunger to race and fight for titles remains strong.

“The Boxer Super Run is a fantastic event for South African road running. The 5km format makes it very exciting because there is nowhere to hide. You need to be ready from the start and race intelligently,” Gelant told SABC Sport.

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“I also really enjoy the atmosphere around the event and the way it brings elite athletes and recreational runners together.”

Although Gelant has achieved much of his success over the marathon and half-marathon distances, he believes the 5km offers a different and exciting challenge.

“I enjoy challenging myself over different distances. The 5km is a great opportunity to test my speed and racing ability.

“It is a very tactical distance because it is short enough to require a high level of speed, but long enough that you can pay a big price if you get the pacing wrong.

“The key for me will be to race the athletes around me, stay focused and make sure I still have something left for the final kilometre,” he added.

The Potchefstroom-based runner, who has represented South Africa at some of the biggest international athletics competitions, has also encouraged runners to come out in numbers and enjoy the Johannesburg race.

With a sold-out field and a strong line-up expected, Gelant will be hoping to show that he still has what it takes to compete with the country’s best over the shorter distance.