By Adnaan Mohamed
Kabelo Mulaudzi turned Johannesburg’s Heritage Day streets into his stage, storming to a course-record victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Wednesday.
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.”
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.
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