She lines up for this year’s edition of the country’s richest 10km race as not only the defending champion but also as the country’s marathon champion, as well as South Africa’s foremost Olympic Marathoner. You would think that with such a lofty billing, Oldknow would be a shoe-in for the title.
But as she looked ahead to tomorrow’s race, the lass who also owns the SA Cross Country 10km title talked down her chances of glory – not because she does not rate herself, but rather because she is still in marathon mode.
“I’m excited for the race,” she said at the pre-race conference in Durban on Friday. “I am not sure what my speed is at in the 10km, I don’t have the speed for it. If I cannot defend my title, I hope that one of the purple runners take it.”
Two of her teammates in Lesotho’s Neheng Khathala and Tyala Kavanagh will be in the race, looking to ensure that the title stays home as Oldknow readies herself for a tilt at yet more marathon glory.
Oldknow, who had an impressive debut at the Paris Olympics where she finished first ahead of seasoned campaigners Irvette van Zyl and Gerda Steyn in a good time of 2:30:29, is getting ready for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place late next month.
But you can always bet on her to give the race her utmost best.
“I am looking to make Hollywood proud in our home race and it makes a huge difference running your club’s race because there is so much support out there and that goes a long way.”
She is a darling of the fans given her incredible growth in the past year, but she does not feel the pressure that comes with huge expectations from her followers: “I see it as a privilege because people believe in you.”
Khathala, meanwhile, says her training has been going well despite her struggling with a pinched nerve. But she still has a high target: “My hope and ambition for Sunday (tomorrow) is to finish on the podium and I am going to give it my best.”
Kavanagh is taking it race by race to see how her body responds as she makes a return to competitive running following injury.
“I am looking forward to it even though I am still trying to see where I am with race fitness. I am not going to put too much pressure on myself, but am just going into Sunday (tomorrow) with a positive attitude and good energy.”
Boxer Athletic Club’s Cacisile Sosibo will be out to ensure there’s no clean sweep of the podium by Hollywood Athletics Club. She has had a busy last month and goes into tomorrow’s race on the back of a tough run at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Joburg 10K on Tuesday, having also done the Spar Ladies race in Gqeberha last Saturday.
“I ran Absa but the hills there were tough and at 6km the body told me ‘I am tired’ but I had to push until the end. I have had recovery massages and I sleep nine hours at night and three hours during the day so I can be rested. I have a 32:27 PB here (in the Hollywood race) and we were helped by this lady,” she said, pointing at Oldknow.
“I am going to improve this time and go to 31 minutes on Sunday (tomorrow).”