#TuksRoadRunning: Karabo Mailula sets sights on glory at the Sappi Tuks Night Race

Karabo Mailula, a Tuks BEd student, is open about her intention to win when she runs.

This Wednesday (10 September), when she starts the Sappi Tuks 10km night race at Hillcrest Sports Campus, it will be no exception. But this time she will be doubly motivated. Why? For Mailula, the answer is simple.

"I am a Tuks student and I participate in a Tuks race. Would it not be wonderful if a Tuks athlete won a Tuks race? I have no idea who my opponents will be.

"All I can promise is that I will not be racing to make up the numbers. The most important thing I learnt from my coach, Caster Semenya, was that I should trust my abilities. If you don't, you are bound to fail."

Earlier this year, Mailula did precisely that when she won the 10 km race of the Sappi Tuks Road event (21 and 10 km). With a best time of 33 minutes 01 seconds, Mailula is one of the four fastest South African female athletes over 10 km this year. She is also the South African University's champion over 21 km and 10,000 meters.

But for Mailula, life is about more than just quick times and titles. She is passionate about her studies. Last year, she passed her third year as an education student with distinction. The achievement means much more to her than any medal.

"I will always run, because when I run, I am fulfilled. But I will never become a professional athlete. Nothing is ever guaranteed in professional sport. I could become injured tomorrow and never run again. What happens then? If you have a degree, you are guaranteed a job. I have already been selected to do my honours next year, but I am not going to stop there. I want to complete my doctorate.

"One of the benefits of running is that when I win prize money, it makes a big difference in my life because my bursary does not cover all my monthly expenses."

Mailula's big goal at the moment is to qualify for next year's World Cross Country Championships. Last year, she was the World Student Cross Country Champion.

"I also definitely want to improve my times over 10 and 21 kilometres."

The Sappi Tuks Night Race is hosted at the Hillcrest Sports Campus in Pretoria, offering 10 km and 5 km distances under floodlights. Organised by Sappi and the TuksRoadRunning, the event includes water points every 3 km, finisher medals, temporary licence purchases, age‑category pricing, and prize draws. The start for both races is 18:30. For more information, contact Jet Moses at [email protected] or phone (012) 420-6174.