New men's and women's champions will be crowned on Saturday at the annual ASA 10km Championships incorporated into LetsGoPotch to be held at the North West Cricket Oval in Potchefstroom.
In the absence of the men's title holder Chris Mhlanga, some of the experienced athletes in the field will be eager to outclass rising stars.
Former national 3 000m record holder Jerry Motsau stands out among the favourites in the colours of host province Athletics Central North West.
Motsau, 36, won the national 5 000m title on the track in Stellenbosch earlier this year and he will be self-propelled to secure his second SA title of the season, this time on the road. His strongest opposition, at least on paper, is expected to come from Pakiso Mthembu.
Representing KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, Mthembu has performed consistently well on the domestic circuit in recent years and with a sub-29 minute 10km to his credit, he could put up a fight.
Among the women, a tight battle is expected in the absence of SA record holder Tayla Kavanagh, who won the national 10km title in Bloemfontein last year but has brought the curtain down to her impressive 2026 season.
This opens the door for 26-year-old Ntsoaki Molahloe who starts as the pre-race favourite in Potchefstroom.
Having earned multiple medals at national championships over shorter distances, Molahloe holds a 10km personal best of 33:34, and she will be confident of securing her first SA title. She will be well backed by a strong KZNA women's team that also includes the likes of Bathobile Mkhize and Banele Mabizela.
Competing for Athletics Gauteng North, Carina Swiegers will be aiming to cause an upset.
The 31-year-old athlete, who has won the national 3 000m steeplechase title on the track for the last three years in a row, will rely on her versatility and her experience to challenge for the gold medal.
A total of 320 athletes representing 17 teams (including 15 provincial bodies, as well as the SAPS and SANDF) have entered the ASA 10km Championships.