By Adnaan Mohamed
Joshua Cheptegei believes Africa’s first sub-27 minute 10km road race is within reach after claiming victory in Sunday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.
The Ugandan Olympic champion stopped the clock in 27:19, the second fastest 10km ever run on African soil, after averaging 2:44 per kilometre on Durban’s fast course.
Kenya’s Salem Kibet finished second in 27:29, while Uganda’s Emmanuel Kibet completed the podium in 27:32.
The strength of the elite field was reflected by the performances of the leading South Africans. Defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi was the first local athlete home in sixth place in 28:06, while Durban favourite Tayla Kavanagh equalled her personal best of 31:28 to finish fourth in the women’s race. Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Neheng Khatala of Lesotho crossed the line fifth in 32:04.
Cheptegei, who won the Durban race in 2017 before setting a South African All-Comers record of 27:16 a year later, said the elusive barrier remains achievable with stronger pacing support.
“I’m so happy to be here again. Running in the streets of Durban with such an incredible field was spectacular. My goal was to run sub-27, but it wasn’t possible today,” said Cheptegei.
“Maybe we needed a pacemaker to take us through 5km and then speed up again later. To win again and set a new course record makes me happy and gives me motivation moving forward.”
The 29-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of his generation, felt the pace eased too early.
“Sometimes you plan to run faster and you need help from different athletes. I realised it wasn’t going to be possible because the tempo wasn’t fast enough and I had to push by myself.”
Cheptegei remains convinced the landmark performance will happen on African roads.
“I believe it’s very possible. We need more support with the pacemaking duties and then we can see a sub-27 here. The course is spectacular, the conditions were perfect and the level of competition was really good.”
He also praised the organisers for assembling one of the strongest international fields seen in South Africa.
“These events give athletes opportunities to showcase their talent and become sporting heroes. Such incentives help develop the sport and South Africa is headed in the right direction.”
The women’s race produced a Kenyan clean sweep as Doreen Cherop claimed the biggest victory of her career in 30:43, finishing ahead of Brenda Jepchirchir (30:52) and Beatrice Chepkoech (31:25).
“My target was to finish on the podium. I’m so happy to become the winner today. I didn’t expect it,” said Cherop.
“We reached 5km in about 15:04, which was fast for me. When I got close to Brenda, I found extra energy and kicked all the way to the finish.”
Cherop said she hopes to return to Durban after exceeding her own expectations.
“I expected to run 31 minutes, but I ran 30. I’ll be back because the weather is good and the race is good.”
Although the historic time barriers remained intact, Sunday’s performances reinforced the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K’s reputation as one of Africa’s premier road races and showed that the continent is edging ever closer to another landmark moment.
RESULTS: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Date: Sunday 12 July 2026
Start: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (MY)
Finish Venue: Sunkist Lawns, Durban Promenade
Start Time: 07:00
ELITE MEN
1 Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) 27:19, 2. Salem Kibet (Kenya) 27:29, 3 Emmanuel Kibet (Uganda) 27:32, 4 Victor Okoth (Kenya) 27:50, 5 Agustino Daniel (Tanzania) 28:03, 6 Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) 28:06, 7 Alex Lenalepisho (Kenya) 28:10, 8 Musawenkosi Mnisi (South Africa) 28:11, 9 Filex Masai (Kenya) 28:13, 10 Leonard Kwerit (Uganda) 28:19
ELITE WOMEN
1 Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 30:43, 2 Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) 30:52, 3 Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya) 31:25, 4 Tayla Kavanagh (South Africa) 31:28, 5 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 32:04, 6 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 32:36, 7.
Jackline Rotich (Kenya) 32:52, 8 Zanthe Taljaard (South Africa) 33:49, 9 Ntsoaki Molahloe (South Africa) 33:59, 10. Zanele Maisa (South Africa) 34:21