By Adnaan Mohamed
South Africa’s elite distance runners Tayla Kavanagh and Cwenga Nose will look to kick-start their 2026 campaigns in style at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March, where flat roads and quality fields promise early-season speed.
Kavanagh arrives buoyed by a standout 2025 season in which she became the fourth-fastest South African women’s 10km runner of all time. The Hollywood Athletics Club athlete has shifted her focus back to the track this year, aiming to sharpen speed before transferring it to the road.
“This year, I will be focusing quite a lot on the track. Track is something I need to work on as it doesn’t come naturally to me,” said Kavanagh.
“I want to challenge myself in order to develop as an athlete… I’m hoping to get some speed and translate that speed to the road.”
She opened her season by winning the 3 000m at the first KZNA League Meeting in a career-best 9:00.21, and says Gqeberha is about setting the tone.
“The goal for the first race of the season is to lay down a good solid foundation,” she said.
“I get the best results when I just run. If I’m calm and relaxed, I run at my best.”
Eastern Cape favourite Cwenga Nose, the 2025 SA 10 000m silver medallist, will be equally motivated on home roads. The Phantane AC runner opened his season with a 28:45 win at the Colchester 10km and is eyeing an improvement on his 28:41 personal best.
“I’m in very good shape because I spent the whole December training hard to have a good season,” said Nose.
“The plan is to stick to the race plan and run my own race.”
According to Series Founder Michael Meyer, the stage is set.
“Gqeberha consistently produces world-class performances, and we are confident it will provide the perfect platform for Tayla and Cwenga to test themselves against the very best.”
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com