TheAbsa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Cape Town 10Kis shaping into a race that could leave scorch marks on the Mother City’s streets this weekend, with elite athletes targeting fast times, national bragging rights and a slice of history.
The women’s race has emerged as the main attraction with the elusive sub-30 minute barrier firmly in sight for the first time on South African soil.
Kenya’s Faith Cherono enters as the quickest athlete in the field with a personal best of 30:06 and is expected to drive an aggressive pace from the opening kilometre. Fellow Kenyan Jackline Rotich also arrives with proven pedigree and should add further pressure at the front.
South African attention, though, will centre on Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanaghin a contest carrying the feel of a championship prize fight.
Xaba has become the country’s dominant road runner in recent seasons, producing performances as smooth and relentless as a train gathering speed downhill. Kavanagh has rapidly climbed the ranks and continues to show the fearless racing instincts needed to survive a brutal pace on a fast course.
“Cape Town is known for quick times and strong competition,” said Xaba. “When the field moves hard from the start, everyone gets pulled into the race.”
Kavanagh believes the race could deliver something special.
“A sub-30 has been hanging in the air for years,” she said. “This field has the athletes capable of chasing that mark.”
The men’s race also carries serious firepower.
Kenyan speedster Felix Kibet Masai leads the entries with a lightning-fast 27:24 personal best and will start among the favourites alongside South African veteran Stephen Mokoka, whose experience and tactical awareness remain among the sharpest in the domestic road running scene.
Kabelo Mulaudzi, Tanzania’s Jummanne Ngoya and a powerful local contingent including Bongelani Mkhwanazi and Chris Mhlanga should ensure the pace remains fierce throughout.
Mokoka expects an uncompromising race from the gun.
“When athletes with these personal bests line up together, the pace naturally becomes aggressive,” he said. “You need to be ready for every move.”
With cool rainy, coastal conditions expected, deep international fields and national stars eager to seize the spotlight, Cape Town’s roads are set to become a high-speed theatre for one of the most anticipated races on the local calendar.
See full list of male and female elite contenders below:
The 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is set to deliver one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled on African soil when the race takes place in the Mother City on Sunday, 24 May.
As the event continues its push for Abbott World Marathon Majors status, organisers have secured a line-up featuring Olympic champions, world title holders, seasoned marathon winners and some of the fastest athletes in the world.
Four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka will return to familiar territory as he targets a fourth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon title. The Hollywood Athletics Club veteran remains one of South Africa’s most accomplished distance runners and returns to a course where he has already built a formidable legacy.
Mokoka owns a marathon best of 2:06:42 and a half marathon personal best of 59:36, credentials that keep him firmly among the leading contenders despite the depth of the field.
The biggest attraction is set to be Kenyan superstar Eliud Kipchoge, who has confirmed his participation in what will be his first marathon on African soil.
The double Olympic champion will begin an ambitious global campaign in Cape Town, aiming to run marathons across all seven continents over the next two years. The initiative will raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on environmental preservation and education projects.
Israel’s Maru Teferi enters the race with the fastest personal best in the men’s field at 2:04:44. He will face strong opposition from a group of sub-2:06 runners that includes Kenya’s Bernard Biwott (2:05:25) and Justus Kangogo (2:05:57), along with Ethiopians Yihunilign Adane (2:05:33), Mulugeta Asefa Uma (2:05:33) and Boki Kebede Asefa (2:05:40).
South African interest in the men’s race will also centre on Desmond Mokgobu and Nadeel Wildschutt, both holders of sub-2:10 marathon performances. Wildschutt’s brother, Adriaan, will take on pacing duties for the elite men’s race.
Thabang Mosiako will be chasing a breakthrough sub-2:10 performance, while former South African 10km record holder Precious Mashele and former national trail representative Kane Reilly are both set to make their marathon debuts.
The women’s field is equally impressive, led by Israel’s Lonah Salpeter, who boasts a personal best of 2:17:45.
Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga, Dera Dida and Mestawat Fikir bring extensive international marathon experience, while Bahrain’s Desi Jisa Mokonin and Ethiopia’s Waganesh Mekasha add further quality to the contest.
Veteran Kenyan star Edna Kiplagat, a two-time world champion, remains one of the standout names in the field at the age of 47. Zimbabwe-born Fortunate Chidzivo and UK-born Emma Pallant-Browne, now based in South Africa, will also attract local support.
The wheelchair race will feature British great David Weir and Swiss multiple major winner Manuela Schär.
With world-class depth across both elite races, the2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathonis positioning itself among the leading marathons on the international calendar.
Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote has made measured changes to his match-23 for Sunday’s U20 Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Kick-off is at 16h10, with New Zealand facing Argentina earlier at 14h00.
The South Africans were convincing in their opening win over Argentina and Foote has largely kept faith with that combination, making a single change to the starting pack. Wasi Vyambwera comes in at blindside flank, adding fresh energy to a forward unit that laid a strong platform in the tournament opener.
The backline sees two adjustments, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga starting on the left wing and Akahluwa Boqwana selected at fullback. Both players will be expected to add attacking edge against an Australian side known for its skill and tempo.
On the bench, Luan van der Berg replaces the injured Kai Pratt, while Gert Kemp and Jade Muller come into the matchday squad to provide loose forward and backline cover.
Foote said the team had taken valuable lessons from their opening performance.
“We had a really good review of our performance against Argentina and, while we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” he said.
The coach stressed the need for consistency across the full match.
“Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.”
The Junior Boks will again run out in front of a passionate Eastern Cape crowd after a strong turnout in the opening round.
“The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” Foote said.
South Africa will look to build on their early momentum, with execution and discipline expected to be key against a well-organised Australian outfit.
Kenya’s Faith Cherono will line up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 10 May with a clear objective, to test her limits against the clock on one of the country’s fastest courses.
The 27-year-old made a strong impression on her South African debut at the Gqeberha leg of the series in March, finishing second in 30:44, the second fastest time of her career.
“It was a good experience and a nice event,” Cherono said. “I was happy to join South African athletes and also athletes from all around the world. I felt at home – welcomed, supported.”
Her performance in Gqeberha confirmed her form early in the season and placed her among the leading contenders for the Cape Town race, where a deep elite field is expected.
Cherono indicated that her preparations have progressed without disruption in the build-up to the race.
“Training is going well. No issues. I am motivated and building one brick at the time. I will miss Brenda, who is very strong. So I hope to have other strong competitors to help and share the load.”
Her training partner and compatriot Brenda Jepchirchir, who won in Gqeberha, will not compete in Cape Town. That absence could leave Cherono to take on a more prominent role in dictating the pace.
Despite the competitive field, Cherono’s primary focus remains on achieving a fast time rather than racing for position.
“I am aiming to run a PB and will do my best to push to the limit,” she said. “I am more interested in running a fast time than trying to win the race or make the podium. My plan is to focus on the time and I’m willing to take the risk.”
Cherono holds a lifetime best of 30:06, and a performance below that mark would not only represent a personal milestone but could also place her within reach of the South African All-Comers record. A sub-30-minute performance, while ambitious, would mark a significant achievement on the African continent.
Race organiser Michael Meyer welcomed Cherono’s return, noting the importance of attracting international athletes of her calibre.
“We are excited to welcome Faith Cherono to the start line of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” Meyer said. “Her entry adds real depth and international quality to the women’s field and further strengthens what is shaping up to be a world-class race in the Mother City.”
The race will start on Marine Drive in Milnerton and finish in the Cape Town CBD, with conditions traditionally favourable for fast times.
With a competitive field assembled and pacing likely to be aggressive from the outset, attention will centre on whether Cherono can convert her intent into a breakthrough performance.
With national titles up for grabs and coveted qualification spots for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgowhanging like a finish-line touchpad, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Hosted at the Newton Park Swimming Pool, the five-day meet forms the heartbeat of the domestic season, where dreams either glide forward or sink beneath the surface. For many, its about striking the right rhythm to secure selection for Team SA.
Leading the surge is backstroke ace Pieter Coetzé, who arrives riding a wave of momentum after a clean sweep at the China Open. The University of Pretoria star has been slicing through the water with the precision of a well-timed tumble turn.
“With China going very well, I think it was a good indicator that I’m on track to perform well at Nationals and see if I can build on that for the rest of the season. It was a good place to start,” said Coetzé.
“I’m hoping to just get some good performances on the board and obviously qualify for the team. But just improving on my performances in China and my performances in previous years at Nationals will be something that I’ll be happy with for Nationals this year.
“It is just a qualification competition, so I’m not hoping to peak or anything like that. I just want to get the job done and make the team.”
Coetzé’s programme includes the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, alongside the 50m and 100m freestyle.
Veteran campaigner Chad le Clos is also back on the blocks, targeting a remarkable fifth Commonwealth Games appearance. Like a seasoned swimmer pacing a long race, he is balancing confidence with caution after limited long-course racing since the Olympics.
“I’m really excited for next week. I haven’t swum many long-course races since the Olympics. I think I’ve only done one. So, I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie,” admitted Le Clos.
“But I feel good and confident, as I always do. I’m definitely ready as I’ve had a good build-up, and everything’s gone really well.
“I’m feeling really confident for the butterfly. It’s just naturally what I’m pretty good at. I’ve been working on my speed and my power, and I’m the strongest I’ve ever been physically in the gym. Hopefully, that will translate.”
Le Clos will contest the 50m and 100m butterfly, as well as the 50m freestyle.
In the women’s ranks, Lara van Niekerk returns with quiet assurance, her stroke efficiency honed to razor sharpness.
“It’s been going well, taper has been good, sharpening up on all the little things,” she said.
“I’m hoping to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and just enjoy myself and execute my race plans as best I can.”
She lines up in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, where she will face fierce competition from Rebecca Meder and Kaylene Corbett. Meder, fuelled by unfinished business after illness at last year’s World Championships, is approaching the meet with renewed hunger.
“My training has been going really well,” said Meder. “We’re looking forward to Nationals. Obviously, eyes are set on the Commonwealth Games, so Nationals is just getting the work done and trying to secure my spot on that team and put some solid times on the database.
“Commonwealth Games is a very big one in my eyes this year, especially after last year’s world champs. I think it was a bit of a bitter taste after world champs, knowing how on-form I was, but then unfortunately getting sick 12 to 24 hours before that 200 breaststroke with the gastro bug that the Americans brought in.
“I was really disappointed and walked back feeling quite unsatisfied… I feel like this year I’m fired up and ready to go for Commonwealth Games. I’m hungry and I am really wanting to achieve well there.”
Also in the mix are Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson and Chris Smith, each aiming to carve their own lane to Glasgow.
The Para ranks add further depth, led by Christian Sadie, whose performances continue to ripple across the continent.
“I’ve been really happy with the progress that I’ve been making in the past year since coming back from world champs,” said Sadie.
“We changed a few things going into world champs last year and I think we’re reaping the benefits now of being able to tune them quite well.
“I did get a little bit sick, and I was a little bit worried because I was out for about two weeks with Covid, but I think I bounced back a lot quicker than I thought I would. So I’m actually really looking forward to Nationals. I’m feeling really good in the water.”
Team Sheets (Selected Entries)
Pieter Coetzé: 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke; 50m, 100m Freestyle
Defending champion Glenrose Xabawill begin her bid for a record-breaking fourth SPAR Grand Prix title when the 2026 series opens in Green Point on Sunday.
No athlete has won the competition four times since its inception 18 years ago. Xaba, already a three-time winner, now has the opportunity to stand alone at the top of that list.
The opening race has been reshaped by the absence of Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya and Salem Gebre, who finished second and third respectively in last year’s standings. Both were unable to secure the necessary visas and clearance documents, their club confirmed earlier this week.
Their withdrawal strengthens the prospects of South Africa’s leading contenders and is expected to intensify competition among the local elite field.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Xaba said she was in good condition ahead of the season opener.
“I am ready to run my best and I am looking forward to the competition. I just want to achieve good results in 2026,” she said.
Among those expected to challenge are Karabo Mailula, Irvette van Zyl and Tayla Kavanagh, along with Xaba’s training partners Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo.
The SPAR Grand Prix consists of five races, with stops in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.
This year’s series offers a total prize purse of R2 million. The overall winner will earn R210 000, with additional incentives available to the top South African finishers.
Attention will also turn to the age-group categories. Junior champion Chanel Groenewald starts as favourite in her division. Anne Stewart will defend her 50-59 title, with Elizabeth Potter among her challengers. In the 60-plus category, Judy Bird is set to face strong competition from record holder Margie Saunders.
Sunday’s race follows a fast coastal route, starting near Green Point and running along the Sea Point Promenade before finishing at the Green Point Common.
For Xaba, the campaign begins with a clear objective: to convert consistency into history.
The SPAR Grand Prix has reached its 18th year, and like a seasoned marathoner hitting her stride, the series continues to quicken the tempo of women’s road running in South Africa.
Staged across five legs of theSPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, the Grand Prix operates as an elite race within a mass participation celebration. Thousands line up at each stop, yet at the sharp end the country’s finest compete for points, pride and a prize purse that has swelled to R1 967 500.
Launched in 2008 to give top-tier South African runners a structured, rewarding annual contest, the series widened its lane in 2019 to include international athletes. The arrival of runners from across Africa has acted like a tailwind, lifting standards and sharpening finishing kicks. Local athletes have responded with faster times and fearless racing.
The overall champion in 2026 will pocket R210 000, with R105 000 for second and R80 000 for third. Age category winners earn R11 000, with R8 000 for runners-up. South Africa’s top five finishers also receive dedicated incentives. The leading South African takes home R110 000, second earns R75 000 and fifth collects R21 000, in addition to their main competition earnings.
Across 18 years, four athletes have won the title three times:Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, Tadu Nare of Ethiopia and Glenrose Xaba. Xababroke new ground as the first South African champion since the series opened to international competition, and the first black South African to claim three titles. She now chases a fourth crown, aiming to carve her name deeper into the record books.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I like to think that my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Beyond the stopwatch, the Grand Prix carries a powerful social stride. SPAR’s campaign to end period poverty and gender-based violence runs alongside the racing calendar.
“As a business rooted in the heart of South African communities, SPAR has a responsibility to stand up for women and girls. Ending period poverty and gender-based violence is about more than intervention – it’s about dignity, safer environments, and equal opportunities.
“Through our community partnerships and sustained investments, we are committed to creating environments where women are supported, protected, and empowered to reach their full potential. This is not just one of those social responsibility programmes for SPAR – it is central to who we are.
“We continue to advocate for dignity and access to essential resources for women and girls. By partnering with organisations on the ground and investing in community driven solutions, we are helping to break down barriers, restore dignity, and create comfortable spaces where women can thrive, and get an opportunity to celebrate themselves. These efforts reflect SPAR’s core values of care, inclusivity, and meaningful community impact.
“The SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and the SPAR Grand Prix are examples of our commitment to improving the lot of women.”
Acting President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, saluted the milestone.
Pictured from left, Acting President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, Glenrose Xaba 2025 SPAR Grand Prix Winner and Mpudi Maubane, SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager. Photo credit- Reg Caldecott
“SPAR is one of the longest standing sponsors of athletics in South Africa, and we applaud SPAR for having supported, promoted and empowered hundreds of thousands of women through the SPAR Challenge series, while assisting our elite athletes through the SPAR Grand Prix.
“ASA are aligned with SPAR and their commendable initiative to end GBV and period poverty. The women of South Africa need to be heard, respected and protected,” said Mathane.
Corporate backing remains strong. Hyundai and Coca Cola return as official partners for 2026, with Modern Athlete as media partner. At each race, one entrant over 18 with a valid driver’s licence stands a chance to drive away in an all-new Hyundai EXTER.
“Hyundai is driven by performance, precision and people,” said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “We excited to continue our partnership with the SPAR National Grand Prix Series. Once again, one lucky attendee at each race stands a chance to drive away in the all-new Hyundai EXTER and this is our way of celebrating South Africans’ energy, on and off the track.”
The 2026 theme, #CelebrateHer, captures the spirit of a series that blends elite competition with community upliftment. Eighteen years in, the SPAR Grand Prix runs with the confidence of experience and the hunger of youth, its footsteps echoing far beyond the finish line.
South African 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba will launch her 2026 campaign with history in her sights when she lines up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March.
Xaba returns to Nelson Mandela Bay off the back of a demanding but productive 2025 season in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, where she claimed three podium finishes, including two victories. Her year also included the second marathon of her career and national duty at theWorld Athletics Cross Country Championships in the United States.
After a brief recovery phase, she says preparations have progressed smoothly.
“The body is feeling good,” Xaba said. “After World Cross Country, the focus was on recovery, easy mileage and strength work before building intensity again. Training has been consistent, and I feel stronger each week.”
The 2026 Gqeberha race is being billed as the fastest women’s 10km field assembled on African soil. Kenya’s sub-30-minute performer Brenda Jepchirchir and compatriotFaith Cheronoheadline a formidable East African contingent.
For Xaba, the quality of the field presents opportunity rather than intimidation.
“Being part of such a strong field is exciting and motivating,” she said. “When you line up against fast Kenyan athletes and other top runners, it pushes you to perform at your best.”
Xaba holds the South African women’s 10km record of 31:12 and finished third in Gqeberha last year in 31:50. With an anticipated aggressive early pace, she could become the first South African woman to dip under the 31-minute mark.
“I have great memories from racing in Gqeberha last year and finishing on the podium,” she added. “This time, I want to improve on that performance. My target is to run a personal best and compete for the top positions again.”
Glenrose Xaba 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K by Anthony Grote
Series founder and Stillwater Sports ManagingDirector Michael Meyer welcomed Xaba’s return, highlighting the significance of staging a world-class women’s field on home soil.
“We are incredibly proud to see Glenrose line up against world-class competitors,” Meyer said. “Hosting what is arguably the fastest women’s 10km field on the continent is a milestone for the event.”
The Gqeberha race opens a five-leg national series that will travel to Cape Town (10 May), Durban (12 July), Tshwane (23 August) and Joburg (24 September).
With a combined prize purse of R1 686 000 and additional incentives for South African athletes, the stakes are high. But for Xaba, the primary target remains the clock.
If the pace unfolds as predicted along the coastal route, South African road running could witness a landmark performance to kick-start 2026.
The aQuellé Midmar Mile will celebrate two extraordinary feats of endurance in 2026 when Jill “Quix” Quicke and George Watson line up for their 50th swim at the world’s largest open-water event.
Quicke’s association with the iconic KwaZulu-Natal race stretches back to 1975, when she became one of the first women to compete officially. Just nine years old at the time, the Pietermaritzburg swimmer was already part of a changing chapter in Midmar Mile history.
“My parents said they thought I was good enough to swim the Midmar Mile. My dad took me up to the dam, as my mom was too nervous, in case I never came out the other side,” Quicke recalled. “The entire girls’ race was about 150 people. We all started together and you had as long as you liked to get across. I think I took 47 minutes.”
Growing up in Pietermaritzburg meant Midmar became a constant on her sporting calendar. She swam every year from primary school through to matric, achieving a best finish of 14th in a competitive field with a time of 21 minutes.
Although university commitments and provincial indoor hockey caused her to miss a handful of editions, Quicke returned to the dam with renewed resolve, often pushing through significant physical setbacks.
“Since completing my degree, I have done the swim consistently just to keep my total ticking over,” she said. “In 2016 and 2017 I did the 8 Mile Challenge for the Save the Rhino fund. I swam one year after being in hospital the day before with a kidney stone and one year where I was on crutches following a big knee operation.”
In recent seasons, the Midmar Mile has become a family affair.
“In 2019, I swam with my nine-year-old niece, Derryn Millward, for her first time. Since 2019 my niece, my sister, Mary Millward and I have swum together most years, and we are going to try and keep together for the big one this year.”
Now based in Johannesburg, Quicke says the significance of reaching 50 swims has taken time to register.
“I am finding it hard to believe it is my 50th swim as I don’t feel that old, but I am aware that nowadays I have to put in a bit of training to ensure that I can get across,” she said. “I think other people are more impressed with the milestone than I am, but it is a good feeling to think about the achievement.”
Watson’s Midmar Mile journey began in 1976, a year he describes as pivotal.
George Watson Photo Credit: Action Photo
“A special year for three reasons,” he said. “Firstly, it’s the year I got married, started a new job in finance and swam my first Midmar.”
Now 77, Watson says consistency rather than times was always the objective.
“My goal was not to miss Midmar for as long as I was able.”
Despite that mindset, he recalls one standout performance.
“The year I did my best time, I started late and still managed a 22-minute swim. It was somewhere around 1982/3.”
He has also experienced the race in extreme conditions.
“There was a huge storm in 1978 and waves of at least 2ft. A water polo friend gave up after swallowing half the dam,” Watson recalled.
For Watson, Midmar remains as much about community as competition.
“I made a lot of friends through swimming and water polo, and Midmar was the one place I was sure to connect with them.”
As he approaches his 50th swim, he has no plans to stop.
“I have no particular goal but will swim for as long as I can manage.”
Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, the 20-year-old world No.1 will toe the line at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10Kon Sunday, 1 March 2026, chasing history and dragging the pace of women’s road running on the continent into uncharted territory.
Fresh from her electrifying victory at the Valencia 10K in January, where she scorched the streets in 29:25, Jepchirchir has already torn through one of distance running’s most stubborn psychological barriers. Now she’s eyeing something even bigger: becoming the first woman to run a sub-30-minute 10km road race on African soil.
Jepchirchir’s rise has been built on patience and precision. Her Valencia performance launched her to the top of the 2026 world rankings and cemented her status as one of the sport’s most feared road racers. But rather than staying on Europe’s lucrative circuit, she’s followed the fast lane south. It’s a path previously carved by icons such as Genzebe Dibaba and Yelamzerf Yehualu.
The draw is simple: the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has become a speed laboratory where elite athletes don’t just chase times, they manufacture them.
“I’ve heard great things about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and the Gqeberha 10K. The course is known for being fast, the organisation is excellent, and the competition is strong. I’m excited to experience racing in South Africa and to be part of such a high-energy event,” Jepchirchir said.
Her presence transforms the race into a high-octane proving ground for South Africa’s leading women’s 10km specialists, particularly Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh amongst others. Both runners have steadily tightened their grip on the domestic road scene, and lining up beside the world’s fastest woman is the equivalent of stepping onto a treadmill that keeps accelerating.
For Xaba, a proven championship racer with tactical steel, Jepchirchir’s relentless tempo could serve as the perfect pacing carrot, or a punishing reality check. Meanwhile, Kavanagh’s fearless front-running style could thrive in a race that promises to unfold at record-threatening speed. The clash offers South African athletes a rare opportunity to test themselves against global gold standard pacing without leaving home soil.
Jepchirchir’s breakthrough wasn’t accidental. It was the product of months spent stacking disciplined mileage like bricks in a foundation built for speed.
“It was an amazing feeling and a very special moment for me. Valencia is such a competitive race, so winning there and breaking 30 minutes for the first time meant a lot,” she explained.
“The biggest factor has been consistency. Over the last six months I’ve been able to train well, stay healthy, and really build momentum. On 1 March, the goal is to put together a strong race, compete well, and see what time is possible on the day. If conditions are right, I’d love to run fast again, but the focus must also be on execution and racing smart.”
Race organisers believe Jepchirchir’s debut injects jet fuel into an already electric event.
“To have the current world No.1, fresh off a sensational win in Valencia, choose to make her South African debut at our event speaks volumes about the stature of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“Brenda’s presence raises the bar once again and guarantees an exciting, world-class race for both elite and recreational runners on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
With a combined prize purse of R1.686 million across the 2026 series, alongside performance incentives designed to reward South African athletes, the Gqeberha leg promises fireworks.
Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K START by Anthony Grote
When the starter’s gun cracks, the race could unfold like a perfectly executed negative split: smooth, controlled, and devastatingly fast when it matters most.
