Mhlanga chases maiden Sub-28 as Phalula seeks to turn back time at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
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As one of only two athletes to secure a top ten finish in all five Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES races in a single season, Chris Mhlanga emerged as one of 2024’s standout 10km stars. With the first race of the 2025 series now less than two weeks away, the Boxer Athletics Club top runner has been training diligently and is ready to elevate his performance when he takes to the start line at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 13 April.
“I haven’t done too badly for the first race of the year and I also came second in the Motsepe race which are good results,” said Mhlanga reflecting on two consecutive runner-up finishes in the 5000m at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Track & Field Championships and the Motsepe Foundation Race to Gender Equality 10km event hosted two weeks ago.
Those events, held on 14 and 16 March respectively, served as crucial preparation for Mhlanga ahead of the fast Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K course, which produced the SA Men’s 10km record in 2023. Now a consistent top-five finisher in major 10km races across the country, the 23-year-old - who set a lifetime best of 28:24 at the record-breaking Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K last July - credits his coach, Hendrick Ramaala, and his training partners, including national 10km record holder Precious Mashele, for helping him elevate his performances.
“The training and motivation I get from the people I train with was the thing. I always look up to them. Just to be there and have that race fitness keeps me motivated,” explained the athlete who represented South Africa at the World University Games and claimed the runner-up position at last year’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Heritage Day.
Mhlanga whose five consecutive top ten 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES finishes are second only to Elroy Gelant’s five top five finishes last season, believes it’s time for him to produce his maiden 27 minute 10km clocking. “I’m going to run the 3000m at the Cape Milers which is a week before the race, just to open the legs and get the speed for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. The plan is to go after the guys and push and try to get a new PB or dip under 28 minutes,” confirms Mhlanga.
Also in excellent 2025 form is veteran Lebo Phalula. Now 41-years-old, the Olympian delivered an eye-catching run during the opening leg of the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix in Cape Town on Sunday 30 March. Lebo who is one half of the legendary Phalula twins, took fifth overall, winning the Over-40 category in 34:14, just 13 seconds outside her own South African veteran’s record. The evergreen Phalula who’s 10km career best of 32:27 was run in ‘The Friendly City’ back in 2014 shares the secret to her incredible longevity.
Phalula had the following to say, "Through my training I am more disciplined. When I say I want something, I remain positive on what I want to achieve. I focus on my training and forget about my age because it's just a number. If I tell myself that I am old and I can't do this anymore, it will happen. But if I tell myself that I am still young like Glenrose (Xaba) then I can run fast times with them, because they will push you to be fast.”
"Chris Mhlanga has been in outstanding form, and it’s exciting to see him targeting his first sub-28-minute 10K at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “At the same time, Lebo Phalula continues to defy the odds, delivering impressive performances and proving her class on the road. It’s fantastic that both athletes use the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES to push their limits and chase fast times. We are thankful for their support and wish them the best of luck. We look forward to cheering them on in Gqeberha!"
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.
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). The current men's record stands at 27:35, set by Precious Mashele at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2023, while Glenrose Xaba holds the women's record of 31:12, achieved at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in 2024. It’s important to note that the R50 000.00 will be awarded to the fastest time.
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