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.
The road ahead is clear, flat and fast. South Africa’s premier urban road-running spectacle, theAbsa RUN YOUR CITY Series, is back in 2026, and the first strides of the journey begin this week as entries opened for the Gqeberha 10K and Cape Town 10K.
A fixture on the local and international running calendar, the series blends elite-level speed with mass participation energy, drawing everyone from podium chasers to first-time 10km runners onto courses designed for rhythm, flow and personal bests. Gqeberha and Cape Town once again lead the charge, setting the tempo for a five-city tour that celebrates the heartbeat of South African road running.
“We are excited to kick off the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series by opening entries for the first two of five iconic races, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“Since inception, Gqeberha (in 2023) and Cape Town (in 2015), both events have delivered world-class racing and an unforgettable atmosphere. As we celebrate the 4th running of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and 11th running of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K, we’re committed to elevating the experience even further with more excitement, exceptional performances, and that unmistakable city vibe runners love.”
These races are tailor-made for ticking off early-season goals. Gqeberha’s coastal route offers a smooth, sea-level test where legs can spin freely, while Cape Town’s point-to-point layout delivers a dynamic run through iconic streets, backed by one of the country’s strongest running cultures. In both cities, the crowd support acts like an invisible tailwind, lifting runners through every kilometre marker.
Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K by Anthony Grote
“Runners can expect 10km racing at its finest,” Meyer added. “Entries sell out quickly every year, so we encourage everyone to sign up early and secure their spot to avoid missing out.”
Title sponsor Absa continues to position the series as more than a race day result.
“Gqeberha and Cape Town, the wait is over, entries for the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K officially open on 11 December! This is your moment to lace up early, secure your spot, and own your streets with purpose,” said Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorships, Brand and Marketing at Absa.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is more than just a race; it’s a movement inspiring real, positive change. We can’t wait to welcome you at the start line and celebrate your journey all the way to the finish.”
With Durban, Tshwane and Joburg waiting later in the season like checkpoints on a long training cycle, the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series promises another year where preparation meets opportunity – and the streets decide the story.
The 27-year-old from the Boxer Athletic Club made history by claiming his fourth straight win in the 2025 series becoming the first runner to achieve this feat since the launch of the series in 2015.
Like a seasoned tactician, Mulaudzi bided his time in the pack before unleashing a late surge down Rahima Moosa Street, raising four fingers skyward as he crossed Mary Fitzgerald Square in triumph.
He clocked a blistering 28 minutes and 39 seconds. Tanzanian Emanuel Dinday chased hard but finished seven seconds adrift in 28:45, while Mulaudzi’s Boxer teammate Bennett Seloyi (28:51) grabbed a career-first podium in third.
“The race was tactical,” admitted Mulaudzi, who eclipsed the old course best by 12 seconds.
He managed to beat Kenyan Gideon Kipngetich 28:51 course record set last year in Joburg.
“Facing athletes of the calibre of Precious Mashele, Thabang Mosiako, Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant was intimidating, but I focused on my race. This has been the best season of my life with four wins in a row, and breaking 28 minutes three times. I’m so grateful to my coach, my club, and my family.”
Elite Men on route at Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Tobias Ginsberg
Coach Richard Mayer hailed the series as a springboard for South Africa’s best.
“If it was not for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY races, athletes like Kabelo would need to go overseas for opportunities. This platform is priceless,” he said.
“I’m so glad for him because he is meticulous in his preparation and works extremely hard. He is boy from down the road in Alexandra so it’s great for him to finally get a victory in his hometown.”
In the women’s contest, Karabo Mailula found her golden moment, sprinting clear to claim her maiden women’s title in 33:34.
Karabo Mailula Photo: Tobias Ginsburg.
The 23-year-old Tuks athlete struck early, peeling away from the field after the second kilometre and stretching her lead with every stride. She coasted home more than a minute clear of Kenya’s Florence Nyaingiri (35:17), with Zimbabwean veteran Rutendo Nyahora (36:35) in third.
“It’s always been my dream to win here,” said a jubilant Mailula.
“I knew the course, I trained harder, and today it paid off. I’m grateful to God for this victory.”
With 14,400 runners flooding the streets of the City of Gold in a sea of red, the race became a fitting spectacle and celebration on Heritage Day.
“What better way to mark Heritage Day than with this electric finale to another brilliant season,” said Stillwater Sports founder Michael Meyer.
Absa’s Jabulile Nsibanyoni echoed the sentiment:
“Every runner had their own reason for lacing up today, and together they made it unforgettable. The stories and spirit were as inspiring as the champions themselves.”
RESULTS: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Date: Wednesday 24 September 2025
Start Time: 08:00
Start Venue: Lilian Ngoyi Street
Finish Venue: Rahima Moosa Street
ELITE MEN
1 Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) 28:39, 2 Emanuel Dinday (Tanzania) 28:45, 3 Bennett Seloyi (South Africa) 28:51, 4 Aklilu Asfaw (Ethiopia) 28:54, 5 Benjamin Ratsim (Tanzania) 28:55, 6 Thabang Mosiako (South Africa) 29:05, 7 Namakoe Nkhasi (Lesotho) 29:12, 8 Stephen Mokoka (South Africa) 29:14, 9 Joseph Seutloali (Lesotho) 29:16, 10 Elroy Gelant (South Africa) 29:19
ELITE WOMEN1 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 33:44, 2 Florence Nyaingiri (Kenya) 35:17, 3 Rutendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe) 36:35, 4 Naomy Jerono (Kenya) 36:43, 5 Elizabeth Hutamo (South Africa) 36:45, 6 Samantha Coetzer (South Afirca) 36:55, 7 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 37:08, 8 Evas Nasasira (Uganda) 37:21, 9 Violet Mogano (South Africa) 37:38, 10 Elizabeth Chemweno (Kenya) 37:56
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.
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K has already produced the fastest time ever run on South African soil, and this year’s frontrunners delivered another scintillating race. – By Sean Falconer and Jacky McClean
