Some of South Africa's most promising young road runners will be eager to show their potential at Nasrec on Saturday, but they will have to be at their best against their more experienced compatriots in the race for national titles at the inaugural ASA 5km Championships. 

In preparation for the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Latvia in September, quality fields will line up this weekend.

Men 

Ryan Mphahlele (CGA):
While he has always shown potential, Mphahlele has made a real breakthrough this year. 

The 24-year-old athlete set a spectacular 1 500m personal best (3:32.90) at the Cape Milers/Endurocad track meeting in April and he went on to break the South African 5km record when he clocked 13:24 in Germany in April. 

But he's not just fast. He's got guts, he knows how to race and he always puts up a fight. 

He lines up as favourite on the starting line. 

Maxime Chaumeton (CGA):
At the age of 22, Chaumeton already boasts an impressive list of results in the early stages of his senior career. 

A sub-28 minute runner over the 10km distance, he displayed fine form by securing a convincing victory in the 5 000m final at the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships in Potchefstroom in April. 

After setting a 5 000m personal best of 13:22.43 on the track in Italy earlier this month, he'll be confident of shining again on the road.

Mbuleli Mathanga (KZNA): 

He hasn't raced much this year, but when he's on the start line, Mathanga will be ready to go. 

He won the 5 000m/10 000m double at the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics provincial championships in March, proving he is still a major force. 

A two-time national champion in the 10 000m event, the 29 year-old athlete will want to show his younger opponents how much value can come from experience.

Women 

Kyla Jacobs (WPA): 

She's no spring chicken, but Jacobs has flaunted some of the best form of her career this season. 

At the age of 28, she has shown her compatriots a clean pair of heels on the domestic circuit this year. 

After winning the ASA 5 000m title on the track in April, she went on to set a personal best of 15:20.61 in Cape Town. She will turn out as one of the favourites for another national crown.

Kesa Molotsane (AFS): 

She's not as fast as many of the athletes she is lining up against, in terms of raw speed, but Molotsane is always a contender. 

The former SA 5 000m champion set a half-marathon personal best of 1:14:31 in Gqeberha earlier this month. 

Dropping back down to one of her best distances, the 31-year-old athlete will be dangerous. She knows how to run her own race and make every stride count.

Tayla Kavanagh (KZNA): 

When she's at her best, Kavanagh is very difficult to beat. 

She won the SA 10km title in 2021 at the age of 20- and she lines up as the KZN provincial champion over 5 000m on the track. 

She might not have the CV boasted by some of the other athletes in the field, but everyone in the race will need to keep an eye on her or she could spring a surprise. 

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of World Athletics  and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg. 

ENDS