With a world class lineup of elite athletes including Kenya’s Diana Chepkorir, who is one of only seventeen women to have broken 30 minutes in a 10km race, it’s all systems go for the much-anticipated Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 12 May 2024.
Chepkorir headlines the women’s race after winning last month’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBRHA 10K in 31:15. Boasting a personal best of 29:56, the Kenyan says she loves racing in South Africa.
“I decided to come back to race here in South Africa because it is a nice place to visit. The country is so welcoming, and the races are well organised. I hope for good weather on Sunday to perform at my best,” said the diminutive East African who produced a personal best 15:01 for 5km when she claimed fourth position at the Adizero Road to Record in Germany a fortnight ago.
Chepkorir’s compatriot Vincent Langat is the favourite to win the men’s race. After victory in “The Friendly City” on 7 April and a lifetime best 27:11 at the same event in Germany, Langat will be gunning for a second consecutive Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory. But the fastest South African in the field Precious Mashele who challenged him in Nelson Mandela Bay has other ideas.
“You remember that last year in Gqeberha I ran the national record (27:35) and that was because of the East Africans. They push us.
They don’t run slow. They run hard from start to finish. So if you want to run fast just chase them. I like running with them because they make us run personal bests. My body is responding well. on Sunday my goal is to finish on the podium. Anything is possible though, I think. I can be the first man to cross the line,” said the national 10km record holder, Precious Mashele.
Mashele leads the South African charge that includes the in-form Elroy Gelant, Stephen Mokoka and Kabelo Mulaudzi, all of whom have finished on the podium in previous editions of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. In the women’s race Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala who was third last year is back again, while Cacisile Sosibo will carry South African hopes in “The Mother City” on Mother’s Day.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, Michael Meyer says, “We're proud to announce an impressive lineup of athletes set to compete in this year's Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. The field includes a blend of top local and international talent both in the Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s categories, promising a highly competitive and exciting race through the stunning streets of ‘The Mother City.' We extend our best wishes to all athletes and look forward to a truly memorable race day!"
Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Absa's Head of Sponsorships, says, “We are excited to see you at the starting line of the annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or a spirited spectator, your presence and stories are crucial to the vibrant tapestry of our community. Join us in running or walking to uplift communities across South Africa through our R1 campaign, designed to make a tangible difference. For every kilometre logged by a Team Absa member on Strava, we pledge to donate R1, reinforcing our commitment to positive change where it's needed most. Be sure to sign up and follow Team Absa Walk/Run on Strava to start tracking your kilometres and be part of this impactful journey.”
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000. Within this allocation, R252,000 will be earmarked for the Open Category, with R126,000 dedicated to the Top 10 Open Men and R126,000 to the Top 10 Open Women. Additionally, R60,000 will be designated for Age Categories. The top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers. The Age Category Prize Purse will be distributed among the top three finishers in each of the Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, and 70+ Age Categories. To view the complete Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.runyourcityseries.com
EXCITING NEWS: In 2024, each of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events will showcase unique, city-specific medals, adding a personalized touch to the participant experience reflective of the host city's essence and character.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has welcomed the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events in 2024. 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 CAR: All entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K will have the exciting chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize, runners need to complete three simple steps: first, register for the event and pay the entry fee; second, collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times; and finally, ensure you're on the start line on event day.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
About Absa
Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States. For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa
About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been revolutionizing the sport since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises five unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (launched in 2023), Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K (launched in 2017), Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (launched in 2023) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).
A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants. For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/