Following the announcement of local favorites Elroy Gelant and Stephen Mokoka, Stillwater Sports, the organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, have revealed that Uganda’s Kenneth Kiprop, a training partner of 10,000m and 5,000m World Record holder Joshua Cheptegei, is the first East African athlete confirmed for the third leg of the five-part series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K that will take place on Sunday, 7 July 2024.
Kiprop, who secured sixth place at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, is part of a new generation of Ugandan runners striving to follow in the fast footsteps of world record holders Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo. At just 19 years old, he aims to use his debut in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series to make a name for himself.
“A lot of my fellow Ugandans have won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. So the people that inspire me like Joshua (Cheptegei) have made me decide to go and try to win in Durban,” explains Kiprop.
During the 2018 edition of the race, two Ugandans emerged victorious. Cheptegei won the men’s race in 27:16 which was the fastest time ever run on SA soil, while Stella Chesang won the women’s race in 31:14. Inspired by his compatriots, Kiprop has thrown himself into training and is ready to race.
“My training has been going well. I'm glad that I'm finally getting back in shape to run a Personal Best in Durban. I think my coach Addy Ruiter knows me very well and his training methods really help me to reach my goals,” admits Kiprop.
Running on the same lightning-fast course where Cheptegei set that SA All-Comers record six years ago, Kiprop who is the holder of a modest 28:46 lifetime best, is aiming to become only the fifteenth Ugandan man to dip under the magical 28 minute barrier.
In closing Kiprop adds: “I know that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K has a fast course and that the environment is beautiful. I want to run my Personal Best and I hope to break 28 minutes for my comeback, and I will try to do my best to get on the podium.”
"We are thrilled to welcome Uganda’s Kenneth Kiprop to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “We wish him all the success that his countryman, Joshua Cheptegei, achieved at this event six years ago. Having such strong international athletes line up on South African soil elevates the level of competition and inspires both local and international runners. It is an honor to host these elite athletes and witness their exceptional performances in our series.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
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 DURBAN 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.
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
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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/