Absa Run Your City Durban 10km could produce historic sub-27-min run

By Charles Baloyi
4th July 2026

The stage is set for what could be a historic day on African roads after the organisers of the Absa Run Your City Durban 10km introduced a faster course and an earlier start time for Sunday's sold-out race.

The race will now start at 7am, an hour earlier than its traditional 8am start, with organisers hoping the cooler conditions and improved route will create the perfect opportunity for the first-ever sub-27-minute 10km on African soil.

Starting at Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and finishing at Sunkist Lawns on the Durban Promenade, the race has attracted one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled.

Leading the charge is Ugandan superstar and multiple Olympic 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei, who owns a personal best of 26:38.

He will be joined by Lesotho record holder Kamohelo Mofolo (27:47), South Africa's three-time cross-country champion Kabelo Mulaudzi (27:41), Kenya's Felix Masai (27:24) and fellow countryman Gilbert Kiprotich (27:43).

Stillwater Sports founder and managing director Michael Meyer believes all the ingredients are in place for a memorable race.

"The Run Your City Durban 10km is set to raise the bar even higher in 2026 with a newly refined, even faster route that creates the possibility of the first-ever sub-27-minute 10km on African soil," Meyer told SABC Sport.

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Meyer explained that while the Durban course has always been known for producing fast times, organisers identified one section that could be improved to make it even quicker.

"We looked closely at the route and found one key section where changes could be made to enhance race speed. That adjustment has now been implemented, giving elite runners an even better opportunity to chase records and personal bests," he said.

The revised route will still showcase some of Durban's most famous landmarks, including Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC Durban), Durban City Hall, the beachfront, Suncoast Casino, and Sunkist Lawns.

Meyer added that the decision to move the start to 7am was made to give runners the best possible racing conditions.

"The earlier start will allow athletes to compete in cooler temperatures and more favourable conditions, giving them the best chance to produce exceptional performances. We believe this could be a landmark edition of the Durban race."