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Cape Town 10K set to blaze as elite stars line up for city showdown

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Cape Town 10K is 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 Kavanagh in 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:

Faith Cherono targets sub 30 personal best in Cape Town 10K

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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.

Websites:  www.runyourcityseries.com

Kavanagh keeps cool head despite red-hot form ahead of Cape Town 10K

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Tayla Kavanagh heads into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in the kind of form that turns heads, yet the 24-year-old remains firmly grounded as she prepares for Sunday’s race in the Mother City.

The Hollywood Athletics Club runner has lit up the past three weeks with personal bests over 3000m, 5000m and 10km, building momentum like a runner finding a smooth downhill rhythm. Still, her focus stays on execution rather than expectation.

“I’m looking forward to taking part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” said Kavanagh. “I ran it last year and thoroughly enjoyed the route and the competition. With this being my second 10km race of the season, I’m looking forward to putting together a strong run.”

Her recent 3000m victory in Stellenbosch, where she clocked 8:46.86, underlined her sharpness, coming soon after her 31:33 win at the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix where she beat Glenrose Xaba.

Kavanagh believes her decision to spend more time on the track this season is paying off.

“It was a good decision,” she said. “As someone without a track background, it is so good to add track to the mix this year. I think it’s assisting me to be faster on the road. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the track season, but the road is where my full passion lies. I’m looking forward to being back on the road and seeing what we can do in the 10km distances.”

Cape Town also marks a meaningful point in her resurgence after injury setbacks in 2023 and 2024. Her fifth-place finish here last year signalled a return to form.

“I feel that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K last year is where I started to pick up my form again. That means it’s kind of a special race for me. I don’t have too many expectations. I’ve been enjoying the process of running. That’s when I perform at my best.”

Series founder Michael Meyer believes Kavanagh’s current trajectory makes her one to watch.

“Tayla has been nothing short of exceptional over the past few weeks, and her recent string of personal bests across multiple distances is a clear indication that she’s in outstanding form,” he said. “If her current trajectory is anything to go by, we can expect a truly special performance in Cape Town.”

The race starts at 09:00 on Sunday, 10 May, from Marine Drive in Milnerton and finishes in the Cape Town CBD.

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series

  1. Sunday 01 March 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K

Elite Men’s Winner: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:47
Elite Women’s Winner: Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 30:15

  1. Sunday 10 May 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K

Start Time: 09:00
Start Venue: Marine Drive, Milnerton
Finish Venue: Cape Town CBD

  1. Sunday 12 July 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
  2. Sunday 23 August 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
  3. Thursday 24 September 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K