Precious Mashele ready to test his speed at Boxer Super Run

The race will take place at Marks Park Sports Centre, with 5 000 entries already sold out.

It is one of the highest-paying 5km road races in the country, offering R20 000 to the winners.

The women’s elite race will start at 9:45am, followed by the men’s race at 10am, with thousands of runners expected to take to the streets of Johannesburg.

Mashele, who represented South Africa in the 5000m at the Tokyo Olympic Games, is hoping to use the race to test his speed against some of the country’s best young athletes.

The 36-year-old has endured a difficult few years due to injuries but is slowly finding his feet again. He finished in the top 10 at the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10km last month and is now looking forward to another competitive outing.

The Limpopo-born runner is coached by Richard Mayer and trains alongside Kabelo “Mr Podium” Mulaudzi.

“I am excited to compete in the event because there are so few 5km road races that offer prize money for elite athletes,” Mashele told SABC Sport.

“I look forward to testing my speed against the young guys who will be out to challenge the established athletes. As I am getting older, I don't have the speed of the younger guys, but I am currently training for the Cape Town Marathon.

“I am hopeful that the strength I gain from marathon training will help me in the later stages of the race.”

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The eight-time national champion knows he faces a tough challenge, with a strong field expected and a hilly route likely to test the athletes.

“The route has hills, and I hope my strength on the climbs will give me a chance against the younger guys. The field is going to be strong and stacked with top South African athletes.

“As an old soldier, I would be very pleased if I managed to achieve a top-10 finish against the young guns.”

Mashele says he is starting to enjoy his running again after spending a lengthy period on the sidelines.

He is already looking ahead to next year, when he hopes to make a strong comeback in the marathon and return to competitive form over 10km.

For now, however, his attention is firmly on the Boxer Super Run 5km, where he will be looking to show that he still has enough speed to compete with the younger generation.

The event is organised by his running club, Boxer Athletics Club, making the occasion even more special for the experienced campaigner.