Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, the 20-year-old world No.1 will toe the line at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March 2026, chasing history and dragging the pace of women’s road running on the continent into uncharted territory.
Fresh from her electrifying victory at the Valencia 10K in January, where she scorched the streets in 29:25, Jepchirchir has already torn through one of distance running’s most stubborn psychological barriers. Now she’s eyeing something even bigger: becoming the first woman to run a sub-30-minute 10km road race on African soil.
Jepchirchir’s rise has been built on patience and precision. Her Valencia performance launched her to the top of the 2026 world rankings and cemented her status as one of the sport’s most feared road racers. But rather than staying on Europe’s lucrative circuit, she’s followed the fast lane south. It’s a path previously carved by icons such as Genzebe Dibaba and Yelamzerf Yehualu.
The draw is simple: the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has become a speed laboratory where elite athletes don’t just chase times, they manufacture them.
“I’ve heard great things about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and the Gqeberha 10K. The course is known for being fast, the organisation is excellent, and the competition is strong. I’m excited to experience racing in South Africa and to be part of such a high-energy event,” Jepchirchir said.
Her presence transforms the race into a high-octane proving ground for South Africa’s leading women’s 10km specialists, particularly Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh amongst others. Both runners have steadily tightened their grip on the domestic road scene, and lining up beside the world’s fastest woman is the equivalent of stepping onto a treadmill that keeps accelerating.
For Xaba, a proven championship racer with tactical steel, Jepchirchir’s relentless tempo could serve as the perfect pacing carrot, or a punishing reality check. Meanwhile, Kavanagh’s fearless front-running style could thrive in a race that promises to unfold at record-threatening speed. The clash offers South African athletes a rare opportunity to test themselves against global gold standard pacing without leaving home soil.
Jepchirchir’s breakthrough wasn’t accidental. It was the product of months spent stacking disciplined mileage like bricks in a foundation built for speed.
“It was an amazing feeling and a very special moment for me. Valencia is such a competitive race, so winning there and breaking 30 minutes for the first time meant a lot,” she explained.
“The biggest factor has been consistency. Over the last six months I’ve been able to train well, stay healthy, and really build momentum. On 1 March, the goal is to put together a strong race, compete well, and see what time is possible on the day. If conditions are right, I’d love to run fast again, but the focus must also be on execution and racing smart.”
Race organisers believe Jepchirchir’s debut injects jet fuel into an already electric event.
“To have the current world No.1, fresh off a sensational win in Valencia, choose to make her South African debut at our event speaks volumes about the stature of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“Brenda’s presence raises the bar once again and guarantees an exciting, world-class race for both elite and recreational runners on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
With a combined prize purse of R1.686 million across the 2026 series, alongside performance incentives designed to reward South African athletes, the Gqeberha leg promises fireworks.
When the starter’s gun cracks, the race could unfold like a perfectly executed negative split: smooth, controlled, and devastatingly fast when it matters most.
1 March: Gqeberha 10K
10 May: Cape Town 10K
12 July: Durban 10K
23 August: Tshwane 10K 24 September: Joburg 10K
For more info visit: https://runyourcityseries.com/
