OPINION: Distance runner Karabo More is on the rise
More has performed well this season over distances ranging from 1,500m on the track to 10km on the road.
Tayla Kavanagh and Glenrose Xaba have been the top women's road runners in the country so far this year, covering events from 5km to the half-marathon. However, a new talent has stepped in to challenge their dominance: Karabo More. At 24 years old, More has made a breakthrough in middle-distance events, securing the African 1,500m title in Ghana and setting a new personal best of 4:05.90 in the metric mile in Stellenbosch.
She also reached the final of the mile at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and broke the South African road mile record at the Parys Crater Street Mile with a time of 4:29.11. More has also shown her strength over longer distances, posting impressive 10km road times and achieving a personal best of 32:20 at the Gqeberha leg of the Spar Grand Prix series.
More has expressed confidence in her ability to excel in the 1,500m event on the track next year, aiming for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. While she may continue competing on the local road circuit, she also intends to focus on her speed by running more 800m races on the track. With a promising track record, More is expected to make a gradual transition to longer distances like the 5,000m and 10,000m.
Coaches Violet and Caster Semenya have been supportive, avoiding any hasty moves. More is still relatively young and has time to improve, especially in the shorter distances. Her accomplishments already position her as one of South Africa's most promising athletes.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
