Organisers explain early start for 2026 Absa Run Your City Series

The organisers, who this year celebrated 10 years of staging one of the country’s most prestigious 10km road running series, have opted to launch the new season earlier to give athletes a head start to their racing calendar.

The 2026 schedule has been confirmed, with Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape set to open proceedings on 1 March. 

The Mother City leg will take place on 10 May, followed by Durban on 12 July. Tshwane and Joburg will wrap up the campaign on 23 August and 24 September respectively.

Prize money remains a lucrative R30 000 per race, with extra bonuses for record-breaking performances. 

Boxer Athletics Club star Kabelo Mulaudzi entered the history books this year by becoming the first athlete to win four races in a row in the series, while marathon national record-holder Glenrose Xaba also delivered standout performances.

The series has transformed the local road running landscape by offering competitive rewards and attracting elite international athletes from global powerhouses such as Kenya and Ethiopia.

Meyer told the national broadcaster that the earlier start adds excitement to the year ahead.

“We’re excited to announce that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will be moving to a new date in 2026, taking place on Sunday, 01 March. This means we’ll be kicking off the 2026 season sooner, giving runners an exciting start to the year,” said Meyer.

“After a sold-out 2025 event that celebrated some incredible performances, we’re looking forward to building on that success and seeing even more impressive results in 2026.”

READ: Nedbank Running Club manager reflects on successful year

He added that the energy from local supporters has helped turn the coastal city into one of the attractive races on the circuit.

“The support from the local community and the energy on race day make Gqeberha a memorable venue every year and a perfect start to a world-class series. We encourage runners to secure their entry early to be part of what promises to be another unforgettable event.”

The fast Gqeberha course has already produced spectacular results. 

Earlier this year, Adriaan Wildschutt shattered the national 10km record with a time of 27:28, earning more than R200 000 for his efforts. 

The record has since been surpassed by Maxime Chaumeton, coached by the legendary Hendrick Ramaala, who clocked 26:55 in Brasov, Romania.

Mulaudzi, hungry for further success, has set his sights on reclaiming the national record at the start of the season.

“My goal is to go after the SA record starting in Gqeberha next year,” he told SABC Sport. 

“That is my biggest goal heading into the new season in 2026 and with hard work and determination I know that I can do it."