By Adnaan Mohamed
South Africa’s running sensation Kabelo Mulaudzi once again lived up to his nickname of “Mr. Podium” by achieving a hattrick of victories at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday morning.
The race drew an impressive field of 10 000 runners with participants gathering at the foot of the majestic Union Buildings to kick off the iconic race.
The 29-year-old showed why rivals fear his finishing kick when he edged Ethiopian challenger Asfaw Aklilu in a nail-biting photo finish that had the crowd holding its breath. Both men stopped the clock at 29:00, but the tape belonged to Mulaudzi.
It was his seventh consecutive podium finish turning the series of five 10km races across the country into his personal playground.
“Honestly, I didn’t know if I had won, it was that close,” he admitted, still catching his breath.
“But I’m thrilled to make it three in a row. I’m speechless. I’m grateful to win because this is what I wanted. In 2023 I was meant to win three in a row, but I didn’t do it because I came third in my third race in Joburg. So I’m over the moon,” he said.
For the Alexandra-born star, it was the final step in a perfectly executed hat-trick, adding the Tshwane title to earlier triumphs in Cape Town and Durban.
The win not only pocketed him R30 000 but also underlined his reputation as the series’ relentless pacesetter.
The Ethiopians, however, didn’t make it easy. Aklilu, in Nedbank colours, pushed him to the very edge, while compatriot Mohamed Abdilmejid surged in for third in 29:10. Mulaudzi welcomed the heat, saying it forged his best effort yet.
“The race was tough, but I embraced it,” he said
“I’m proud of what I achieved today. So far, my season is going really well, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
What’s next is the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km on August 30, where Mulaudzi will once again be the man to chase.
“I’ve been chasing this hat-trick for a long time, and finally achieving it feels amazing,” he said. “Now I’m hungrier than ever. If I can win in Durban next week, it will make this season even more special.”
In the women’s race, defending champion Glenrose Xaba dipped under 32 minutes for the second year running as she stopped the clock in 31:50 to eclipse her own course record.
She was followed home by Kenya’s Rebecca Mwangi, who finished almost a minute later with a time of 32:41, while Selam Gebre rounded out the podium in 33:05.
“I’m happy with the result, and my body was responding very well,” said Xaba.
“The competition was strong, but the plan was to go through halfway in under 16 minutes which I managed to do. My message to all the young girls who are inspired by me is to keep pushing and to stay consistent.”
RESULTS: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Date: Sunday, 24 August 2025
Start Time: 08:00
Start Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane
Finish Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane
ELITE MEN
1 Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) 29:00, 2 Aklilu Asfaw (Ethiopia) 29:00, 3 Abdilmejid Mohammed (Ethiopia) 29:10, 4 Joseph Seutloali (Lesotho) 29:13, 5 Simon Sibeko (South Africa) 29:19, 6 Bennett Seloyi (South Africa) 29:22, 7 Pakiso Mthembu (South Africa) 29:32, 8 Namakoe Nkhasi (Lesotho) 29:37, 9 Chris Mhlanga (South Africa) 29:50, 10 Joel Mmone (South Africa) 29:55
ELITE WOMEN
1 Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 31:50, 2 Rebecca Mwangi (Kenya) 32:41, 3 Selam Gebre (Ethiopia) 33:05, 4 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 33:40, 5 Irvette Van Zyl (South Africa) 33:41, 6 Karabo More (South Africa) 34:03, 7 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 34:37, 8 Carina Swiegers (South Africa) 35:15, 9 Zanthe Taljaard (South Africa) 35:24, 10 Florence Nyaingiri (Kenya) 35:30
