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Durban 10K delivers elite spectacle as Cheptegei eyes history

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Durban 10K delivers elite spectacle as Cheptegei eyes history
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.

Top three men’s finishers at the Durban 10K by Action Photo

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.

Hollywood AC stars Tayla Kavanagh and Neheng Khatala were the first SA women across the finish line Photo: Gavin Ryan

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).

Top three women finishers at the Durban 10K by Action Photo

“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.

Elite start of the Durban 10K PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Grote

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

Joshua Cheptegei chases history on return to Durban 10K

Adnaan MohamedNews, PreviewLeave a Comment on Joshua Cheptegei chases history on return to Durban 10K
By Adnaan Mohamed

Joshua Cheptegei will return to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 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’s Tayla 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.