Saturday’s ASA 10km Championships in Potchefstroom will guarantee new royalty in South African distance running, with both the men’s and women’s national crowns up for grabs at the North West Cricket Oval.
The headline story in the women’s field is the absence of defending champion Tayla Kavanagh. Coming off a spectacular 2026 campaign – highlighted by her record-breaking 30:50 run in Romania that shattered the South African 10km record – Kavanagh won the national title in Bloemfontein last year but has opted to bring down the curtain on her season. Her absence leaves the women's race wide open for a brand-new champion.
The 2024 champion, Glenrose Xaba, has also opted to take part in the Boxer Super Run Durban this weekend.
Taking centre stage in the absence of the two big guns is 26-year-old Ntsoaki Molahloe of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA). Starting as the pre-race favourite, Molahloe boasts a credible 10km personal best of 33:34 and a strong pedigree of national track medals to the North West as she targets her first senior SA title. She leads a formidable KZNA contingent that also features Bathobile Mkhize and Banele Mabizela.
Molahloe’s primary threat is likely to come from Athletics Gauteng North’s (AGN's) Carina Swiegers. The 31-year-old, who has dominated the track as national 3 000m steeplechase champion for three consecutive years, will rely on her tactical versatility and big-race experience to challenge for top spot.
In the men’s race, defending champion Chris Mhlanga is also absent, paving the way for local favourite Jerry Motsau to mount a multi-surface title double. Representing the host province Athletics Central North West (ACNW), the 36-year-old veteran already boasts the national 5 000m track title from Stellenbosch earlier this year and will be eager to add a road crown on home turf.
Standing in Motsau’s path is KZNA’s Pakiso Mthembu, a consistent sub-29-minute campaigner who possesses the top-end speed to mount a serious challenge.
Incorporated into the LetsGoPotch festival, the event has drawn a total of 320 athletes representing 17 teams – including 15 provincial bodies along with SAPS and SANDF – promising a fiercely contested morning of racing.