With high expectations for record-breaking performances, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K did not disappoint, as multiple barriers were shattered on Sunday, 13 July 2025.
Finishing behind Kabelo Mulaudzi who produced a career best 27:41 to win his second consecutive Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race of 2025 was Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo, who in crossing the finish line in 27:47 set a new national 10km record for the Mountain Kingdom.
“What we witnessed at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday was nothing short of extraordinary,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “The performances were world-class, and it’s a proud and truly special moment for us as organisers to see such incredible results on African soil.”
Six men in total broke the 28 minute barrier, a first of it’s kind for the African continent. Included amongst those six was 1500m Olympic semi-finalist Ryan Mphahlele who started the race as a pacemaker and hung on for sixth position in a maiden sub 28:00 clocking and lifetime best 27:59, while Tanzania’s Benjamin Ratsim rounded out the top ten in 28:22 which was an SA All-Comers Junior Record.
Aiming to become the fastest 40-year-old 10km runner of all time, Stephen Mokoka fell short, but was nevertheless good value for money. Although the four-time Olympian failed to dip under the 27:48 set by Bernard Lagat in Manchester in 2015, he still ran well under 29 minutes, as he clocked 28:37 to smash David Chawane’s SA 40+ record by almost a minute and win the veteran’s category by more than 90 seconds.
“Kabelo Mulaudzi’s brilliant personal best, Kamohelo Mofolo’s national record for Lesotho, and Stephen Mokoka’s phenomenal veterans’ run – smashing a long-standing SA record – were standout achievements,” Meyer added.
The women’s race was just as fast. Three women finished inside 31:00 – another first for an African race. Running for the first time on South African soil, Kenya’s Clare Ndiwa made a resounding SA debut as she produced a lighting fast 30:50 in a tight finish against compatriot Janet Mutungi who came home just three seconds after her. Pre-race favourite and 2022 champion Jesca Chelangat was third in 30:58 as the Kenyans swept the podium.
“To see such depth and speed in the women’s race, with three athletes breaking 31 minutes for the first time ever on the continent, is phenomenal. These kind of performances remind us why we created the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES – to elevate African road running and provide a platform where athletes can push boundaries and make history. It’s an incredibly proud moment for all of us.”
EVENT DATES: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
1. Sunday 13 April 2025 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Elite Man: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:28
Elite Woman: Jane Gati Chacha (Kenya) 31:45
2. Sunday 11 May 2025 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Elite Man: Kabelo Maluadzi (RSA) 27:49
Elite Woman: Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 32:00
3. Sunday 13 July 2025 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Elite Man: Kabelo Mulaudzi (RSA) 27:41
Elite Woman: Clare Ndiwa (Kenya) 30:50
4. Sunday 24 August 2025 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Next Up
5. Wednesday 24 September 2025 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Charity Support: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES proudly supports the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
Win a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle: Ricardo Moody was the lucky participant to drive home in a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT to the value of R269 900.00 courtesy of the event’s official Vehicle Partner, Chery South Africa.
Prize Purse: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES boasts an impressive, combined prize purse of R1 610 000.00 in 2025. Each of the five events will feature a total prize allocation of R322 000. Of this, R252 000.00 will be dedicated to the Open Category, with R126 000.00 awarded to the Top 10 Open Men and R126 000.00 to the Top 10 Open Women. The top male and female finishers in each city will receive R30 000.00 each, with R25 000.00 going to second-place finishers and R20 000.00 to third-place finishers. Additionally, R70 000.00 will be allocated to Age Categories. The Age Category prize pool will reward the top three finishers in the Junior, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ age groups.
South African Athlete Incentives: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES also has an unprecedented “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” for 2025. Applying to all five races, the incentive schedule offers bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men’s category, bonuses will start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R200 000.00 bonus for breaking the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses begin for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with an impressive R200 000.00 incentive for breaking the 30:23 mark.
To further raise the stakes, a bonus of R50 000.00 will be awarded to the South African athlete who breaks the SA 10km record (at the time of the race). It is important to note that the R50 000.00 will be awarded to the fastest time.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES.
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