For years, African road running has waited for two stubborn barriers to fall. On 12 July, the sold-out Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10Kcould become the stage where both finally surrender.
The prospect of the first men’s sub-27-minute 10km and the first women’s sub-30-minute performance on African soil has transformed the Durban race from another elite road event into a genuine date with history.
At the centre of the men’s assault stands Ugandan superstar Joshua Cheptegei. The Olympic champion and world record holder over 5 000m and 10 000m owns a personal best of 26:38, making him the obvious favourite to shatter the long-standing continental milestone.
Yet the stopwatch will not be chasing Cheptegei alone.
Kenya’s Felix Masai, who claimed victory at this year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, brings a 27:24 lifetime best, while Gilbert Kiprotich believes he has already crossed the psychological finish line.
After producing a blistering 27:01 split during the Lisbon Half Marathon, Kiprotich is convinced Durban’s flat course and fast pace can carry him into the exclusive sub-27 club.
Gilbert Kiprotich Photo Supplied
“I believe I am capable of running comfortably under 27:00 in Durban,” said Kiprotich.
“We are hoping for favourable weather conditions and strong pacing on race day.”
Cheptegei is refusing to become consumed by the numbers, even though they continue to follow him like a determined shadow.
“It would be an honour for the record to be broken on African soil,” he said.
“I think that would be great for African athletics.”
The women’s race carries an equally compelling storyline.
Brenda Jepchirchirreturns to South Africa with unfinished business after strong winds denied her a realistic opportunity of breaking 30 minutes in Gqeberha earlier this year. Since then, the Kenyan has reinforced her credentials by clocking 29:25, making her the second fastest woman in the world in 2026 and the joint fourth fastest in history.
“If the conditions are favourable and the race unfolds well, I would love to run under 30 minutes,” Jepchirchir said.
“It would be a significant milestone in my career, and I believe it is possible.”
Beatrice Chepkoech by GSC Media House
Standing alongside her is world steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, whose presence deepens an already formidable field. Although the Kenyan is continuing her return after giving birth, the 2019 world champion believes Durban offers the perfect setting to be part of something memorable.
“This is what every athlete dreams of, building a legacy that will endure in the world of athletics,” said Chepkoech.
Stillwater Sports founder Michael Meyer believes the stars have aligned.
“The prospect of witnessing the first sub-27-minute men’s 10km and the first sub-30-minute women’s 10km on African soil at a single event is incredibly exciting,” Meyer said.
Elite athletes, favourable winter conditions and one of the continent’s quickest road courses have combined to create a rare opportunity.
Records rarely wave a white flag willingly. The DURBAN 10K now has the chance to force their surrender, twice, in the space of one unforgettable morning.
Chery South Africa has announced the renewal of its sponsorship of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, extending the partnership for an additional three years from 2026. The renewal follows four successful years of collaboration and coincides with the fourth anniversary of Chery’s relaunch in South Africa.
The partnership has played a key role in the continued growth and success of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, with Chery South Africa serving as the Official Vehicle Partner. Chery’s fleet supports event logistics and operations across all host cities, contributing to a seamless race experience from build-up week through to race day.
“We are proud to welcome them for another three years as we continue to deliver world-class running events across South Africa.”
Wade Bromfield and Verene Petersen by Ray van Breda
Tony Liu, CEO of Chery South Africa, says the brand is excited to continue the journey. “Over the past four years, we’ve built a strong partnership and created memorable experiences for runners and Chery owners alike. We look forward to further strengthening our connection with the running community and the cities we celebrate.”
Chery at Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series by David-Sullivan
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series features five major 10km races in Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane and Johannesburg. The renewed partnership will continue to focus on innovation, performance and enhanced runner and supporter experiences.
On a sun-baked Sunday morning along Durban’s shimmering Golden Mile, the tar melted under the thunder of over 10,000 pounding feet—each chasing glory, each carving their rhythm on the city’s pulse. But as the dust settled and sweat cooled into salt, it was one man, Kabelo Mulaudzi, who rose once again from the chaos like a phoenix with spikes—his wings forged in resilience and his flight fuelled by ambition.
Clocking a blistering 27 minutes and 41 seconds, the 27-year-old sensation from Alexandra, cloaked in the familiar scarlet kit of Boxer Running Club, painted the beachfront red with triumph as he defended his Absa Run Your City Durban 10K crown.
They call him“Mr Podium,” and on this morning, he lived up to the name like a conductor returning to his favourite symphony, every stride a note in a masterpiece composed by sweat and spirit.
“Last year was tough with injuries, but I’ve bounced back strongly with consistent performances this season.”
“I’m proud of my performance because I came into this race determined to win,” Kabelo said, his words punctuated by gasps of air, sweat cascading down his temples like medals of effort.
Indeed, 2024 may have tested his body, but 2025 has witnessed his renaissance—a rebirth of resolve and rhythm. This was not just a race; it was a poetic duel against the ticking clock and a ghost in his mind: the South African 10km record of 27:48 set by Adriaan Wildschutt. Kabelo chased it with the hunger of a lion hunting it’s prey in the last kilometre.
Like a sprinter who felt the tailwind shift mid-race, Kabelo hinted at an unseen adversary—the race route itself, which had undergone slight changes this year.
Kabelo Mulaudzi by Anthony Grote
“I had hoped to break the national 10km record,” he confessed.
“But I ran out of steam in the last 5km. That’s where I need to improve—finishing strong. Still, I clocked a personal best, making this one of my fastest races yet. But honestly, my target was the SA record.”
“Mofolo and Vincent gave me a real challenge today.”
“Durban is my favourite course, and had we gone out faster in the first 5km, I believe I could have broken the record,” he mused.
Indeed, Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo stormed home like a bullet from the highlands, clocking 27:47, a national record for his country. Kenyan front-runner Vincent Kipkorir, the race favourite, found himself edged into third with 27:48.
It was a finish line shootout—a race so tight that six runners dipped under 28 minutes. It was indicative of the quality of the elite field assembled by the race organisers.
But Kabelo’s fire still burns hotter than ever.
“I wasn’t desperate to break the record—I just truly believed I had it in me,” he said, eyes fixed beyond the finish line, beyond this race, as if already imagining the next showdown. “I’ll keep trying, and I believe that in one of the upcoming races, I’ll get it right.”
With R110,000 in prize money earned—R30,000 for the win and an R80,000 bonus for his sub-27:45 pace—Kabelo’s real wealth lies not in cash but in consistency. It’s no fluke. His training, overseen by coachRichard Meyer, is a science of structure, repetition, and faith in the process.
“I’ve been focused on training and following my coach’s guidance,” he said with gratitude. “Our rivalry began in Tshwane when Mofolo beat me, but I’ve now managed to beat him twice in a row. I’m happy for him setting his national record.”
Kabelo now eyes the Central Gauteng Athletics 10K Champs, the Durban Hollywood 10K, and the next Absa Run Your City race with the hunger of a man chasing legacy, not just medals.
“My goal is to win the remaining Absa races and to stay healthy and injury-free.”
If Kabelo danced with the wind, Glenrose Xababattled headwinds wrapped in asphalt. South Africa’s women’s 10km record holder came to Durban with dreams of rewriting her own legacy—but for the woman fondly dubbed as ‘Supercharger’— everything did not go as planned.20.
Xaba, running with the rhythm of ambition, finished fifth in 31:50, the top South African woman in a race dominated by Kenya’s relentless trio—Clare Ndiwa (30:50),Janet Mutungi (30:53), and Jesca Chelangat (30:58). A sweep so clean it felt like a brushstroke across the continent.
“Yeah, eish, the pace felt fine at the start, especially in the first kilometre,” she said, still catching her breath after the run.
“But from 2km onwards, there were way more hills than last year. The 2024 route was much faster, but this year’s course was really challenging.”
“There were too many climbs—it wasn’t flat at all,” she said
“I think there were three, maybe even four significant climbs, and that really took a toll on the body. By the time you hit the 6km or 8km mark, it felt like a completely different route.”
“I believe the course should’ve been flat from the start with no climbs, because it wasn’t the same as last year. If it had been, we all could’ve run faster times.”
Though her legs churned with effort, the result did little for her World Championships qualification hopes via the 10,000m rankings.
“I won’t lie—this result wasn’t good for my world ranking. It was one of the toughest I’ve run this year. My legs didn’t respond well over the last 3km, and I know I could’ve gone faster.”
She dismissed any talk of fatigue as a factor.
“No, I don’t think I’m tired or over-racing. I’ve been focusing more on mileage than speed in training. The problem was the hills—I’m used to flat courses, and I just couldn’t handle the climbs.”
With her world championship hopes in the 10,000m hanging by a thread, Glenrose is considering a tactical pivot—a shift to the 5000m, where her current global ranking offers more room to manoeuvre.
“I believe I’m still ranked well in the 5000m, and if I can secure a few more races in that event, it could improve my chances more than the 10,000m,” she said. “I think my manager is currently trying to find a race for me, ” she added.
There are two races remaining in the series, the TSHWANE 10k on Sunday, 24 August and the JOBURG 10K on Wednesday, 24 September on Heritage Day.
New records were the order of the day at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in early July, including Glenrose Xaba breaking the women’s SA Record, and the race had its biggest field yet, in what turned out to be a record-breaking day from start to finish. – BY Sean Falconer with Jacky McClean
After shift his focus from running marathons and ultras down to 10km, Bongelani Mkhwanazi has become one of the country’s fastest and most consistent performers. – By Tathe Msimango with Sean Falconer
