Joshua Cheptegeiwill return to theAbsa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10Kon Sunday, the race that launched his rise to international stardom, with another slice of history firmly in his sights.
The reigning Olympic 10,000m champion is aiming to become the first athlete to run a sub-27-minute 10km on African soil, adding another milestone to an already glittering career.
The 29-year-old Ugandan first claimed victory in Durban in 2017 before producing a South African All-Comers record of 27:16 a year later. Since then, he has cemented his place among the greatest distance runners of his generation, winning Olympic gold, three World Championship titles over 10,000m and setting world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.
Armed with a personal best of 26:38, Cheptegei believes the historic barrier can fall, provided the leading contenders work together.
“Running is the same as football these days, it has become a team sport. If the organisers want us to run sub-27 minutes all of us must come together then something good can happen,” said Cheptegei.
Standing in his way will be defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi, former South African 10km record holder Stephen Mokoka and Kenyan speedster Gilbert Kiprotich, all capable of setting a relentless pace from the gun.
Mulaudzi, a two-time Durban champion, is eager to continue his impressive record in the coastal city.
“I have done well in Durban in the past and I want to continue with that record. I think I’m in good shape, although I struggled with race fitness at the Great Manchester 10K Run on 31 May. I don’t want to put myself under pressure, but my goal remains the same. I always want to finish on the podium,” said Mulaudzi.
Kiprotich, who recorded a blistering 27:01 10km split during this year’s Lisbon Half Marathon, believes Cheptegei’s presence could inspire the entire field to faster times.
“The reason I decided to come to Durban is because I wanted to get a personal best time. Cheptegei is here and I know we are going to push. When a strong and a good athlete comes to race it means we are going to help each other to push the pace,” said Kiprotich.
Elite Women Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K by Dawn Oosthuis
The women’s race promises its own historic storyline. Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, the fastest entrant with a personal best of 29:25, is chasing the first sub-30-minute women’s 10km ever run on African soil.
“If the weather is good and the body responds, I’ll push,” said Jepchirchir.
South Africa’sTayla Kavanagh, winner of the 2021 edition when the race doubled as the SA 10km Championships, is hoping home support will inspire another memorable performance.
“It’s special to have hometown support and I’m looking forward to Sunday. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is special to me because I won the race in 2021 when it doubled as the SA 10km Championships. I’m excited to see what we can produce on Sunday,” said Kavanagh.
The race starts at 07:00 on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue alongside Moses Mabhida Stadium and finishes at the Sunkist Lawns on the Durban Promenade.
Four-time Comrades MarathonchampionGerda Steyn says her preparations for this year’s race are on track as she targets a fifth title and potentially another record-breaking performance in the iconic ultra-marathon on 14 June.
The South African star is currently completing her final training block in the French Alps ahead of the 99th edition of the race, where she will once again start as the overwhelming favourite in the women’s field.
Steyn has dominated ultra-distance running in South Africa over the past decade, building a remarkable record that includes four Comrades victories and an unprecedented seven consecutiveTotalsports Two Oceans Marathontitles.
The Hollywood Athletics Clubathlete arrives at Comrades fresh from another commanding display at Two Oceans in April, where she claimed her seventh straight crown in 3:27:43.
Her achievements at Comrades have been equally impressive.
Steyn won her first title in 2019 in an Up Run record of 5:58:53, becoming the first woman to break the six-hour barrier on the route. She added victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and currently holds both the Down Run record of 5:44:54, set in 2023, and the Up Run record of 5:49:46, established a year later.
This year’s race could present another opportunity for a fast time.
The official distance for the 2026 Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg is 85.777km, making it the shortest Up Run in recent history and potentially opening the door for new records.
Steyn, however, remains focused on preparation rather than predictions.
“I’m really excited to line up for the Comrades Marathon again this year,” she said.
“My training so far has gone really, really well. Of course, it’s still ongoing, but all is going according to plan, especially after the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon earlier in April.”
With the route heading inland to Pietermaritzburg, Steyn has tailored her training to meet the specific demands of the Up Run.
“This year with it being an uprun, my training is also specifically tailored in making sure that I am strong on the uphills but also of course it’s a fast race.
“Even though it’s almost 90 kilometres, the pace is still fast, so I’m trying to work on all areas to be 100% ready for race day.”
Nine-time Comrades winner Bruce Fordycebelieves Steyn’s accomplishments have already secured her place among the greats of South African distance running.
“Gerda has redefined what women can achieve at Comrades and Two Oceans. Her records, consistency and professionalism place her among the greatest ultra-distance runners South Africa has ever produced,” Fordyce said.
“To hold both Comrades records and dominate Two Oceans year after year is extraordinary. She has raised the standard for everybody.”
Fordyce also highlighted Steyn’s ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages.
“What stands out is the way she races with confidence and composure. She makes world-class performances look effortless, and that’s the mark of a truly exceptional athlete.”
This year’s race will also be Steyn’s second Comrades appearance in Hollywood Athletics Club colours.
“I’m really excited to line up for my second Comrades Marathon in the Hollywood Athletics purple colors,” she said.
“So that will also be really exciting to share the roads with so many other teammates and club mates. It’s going to be a very special day, so all the best from my side to everyone lining up this year.”
Having already rewritten large sections of the Comrades record book, Steyn heads into the 2026 race with another opportunity to strengthen her legacy. The title remains the primary target, though on a shortened Up Run route, the clock may once again become her biggest rival.
South African distance running ace Adriaan Wildschuttsurged to a memorable victory at the New York City Half Marathon in the Big Apple on Sunday.
The 27-year-old from Ceres produced a clinical 59:30 performance, the biggest road running victory of his career. Patience marked his opening miles as he settled into the rhythm of the lead group, moving with the calm of a runner saving his energy for the final push to the finish line.
When the race reached the decisive stages, Wildschutt shifted gears.
Approaching the 10-mile mark, roughly 18km, he launched a surge that sliced the pack apart. The acceleration landed like a hammer blow and the chasing runners struggled to close the gap as he stretched clear through the final kilometres.
Zouhair Talbi(59:41) was the Top-American in second place, with Gulveer Singh (59:42) of India rounding out the podium in third position.
Hellen Obiri of Kenya claimed the win in the women’s race in 1:06:33, breaking the course record. Sharon Lokedi (1:07:10), the former course record holder, took second in with Megan Keith (1:07:13) third.
After winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GGEBERHA 10K in a blistering 27:47 two weeks ago in South Africa, he confirmed that he had his sights set on victory over 21.1km in the Big Apple. And that’s exactly what he managed to do.
“I knew if I wanted to win the race, I’ll have to have the best last five k’s,” Wildschutt said after the race. “Once I hit 10 miles, I wanted to make a big move and see if everybody went. I was able to drop them and keep squeezing. The goal was always to try and win.”
The victory arrived in only his second race over the half-marathon distance, a sign that the South African star continues to expand his range beyond the track where he already holds multiple national records.
Cold conditions threatened to complicate his race plan. Morning temperatures hovered around freezing, a sharp contrast to the scorching training conditions he experienced in South Africa.
“When we woke up it was about 32 or 33 degrees Fahrenheit, around one or two degrees Celsius,” he explained.
“I came from summer, seeing my family and doing a training camp in Potchefstroom where it was over 30 degrees Celsius. I thought the cold might really get to me. Coach made sure I had everything I needed, arm sleeves, gloves and a hat. It turned out really great and I’m grateful the weather didn’t bother me.”
As the finish line approached in New York City, Wildschutt ran with the controlled strength of a marathon engine still humming smoothly.
“I was so happy that I was done,” he said. “This was my second half and my first time in New York. The goal was to run really hard in a good effort. I was so stoked that I felt really strong towards the end.”
Wildschutt’s stride across the finish line marked another powerful chapter for South African distance running, his performance echoing through the streets of the Big Apple like the final kick of a champion hitting full flight.
