Next up for Phalula is Sunday’s season-opening race of the popular Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in the Eastern Cape. While she may not be expected to beat her personal best (PB) of 32:27 at the Gqeberha 10K, one would be wise not to bet against her improving on the veterans’ record. After all, the Friendly City is known for producing fast times—and it was there, 11 years ago, that she set her PB.

Phalula credits her longevity to a deep respect for the sport and unwavering focus:

“Through my training I am more disciplined. When I say I want something, I remain positive about what I want to achieve. I focus on my training and forget about my age because it’s just a number. If I tell myself I’m old and I can’t do this anymore, it will happen.

"But if I tell myself I’m still young like Glenrose, then I can run fast times with them—because they’ll push you to be fast.”

Alongside Xaba, another rising talent likely to push Phalula is the fast-improving Karabo Mailula, who finished third at that SPAR race.

The University of Pretoria student trains under the guidance of legendary athlete Caster Semenya and her partner Violet Raseboya, and she will make her Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K debut with high hopes of replicating her success in Cape Town.

Mailula recorded a personal best of 33:08 at last year’s lightning-fast Absa RUN YOUR CITY Durban 10K, and training alongside Xaba has given her a major confidence boost.

“With the kind of shape I was in last year, I could feel that sub-33 was so close,” she said. “Sub-33 is still the goal this year. It will be my first time running the Gqeberha 10K and I’ve heard the course is fast, flat, and great for quick times. My expectation is to finish in a strong time and collect a good cheque.”

Can she bank that winner’s prize? She’ll have to fly to outpace Xaba, as well as Kenyan debutant Mercy Kibor—fresh off her Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon victory—and Maxed Elite’s Nthabiseng Letokoto, who was runner-up.

Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Series Founder Michael Meyer is thrilled to have both Phalula and Mailula on the start line:

“Lebo Phalula continues to defy the odds, delivering impressive performances and proving her class on the road, and we’re happy she’ll be racing in Gqeberha. We’re also excited to see the rising talent of Karabo Mailula deliver a fast performance in ‘The Friendly City.’ We’re grateful to have both athletes adding to the world-class field.”