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The Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10km is shaping up to be an electrifying event on Sunday, with more than 10,000 runners set to line up on Stanza Bopape Street in Arcadia at 8 a.m.
The sold-out event boasts a star-studded elite field in both the men’s and women’s categories with a prize of R30,000 reserved for the first athlete to cross the finish line.
Leading the men’s field is Kabelo Mulaudzi, who will be chasing his third consecutive victory in the series after triumphs in Cape Town and Durban.
Mulaudzi boasts an impressive personal best of 27:41, making him the top favourite.
He will face stiff competition from former Lesotho national 10km record holder Namakoe Nkhasi (27:52) and Ethiopia’s Asfaw Akilu (28:03).
Other notable names include South African marathon champion Bennett Seloyi of Central Gauteng Athletics, promising runner Chris Mhlanga, and Two Oceans Marathon third-place finisher Lucky Mohale.
Comrades Marathon stars Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi are also in the mix, using the race as part of their preparation for the iconic ultra-marathon.
Joseph Seutloali, winner of the Two Oceans Marathon, will similarly treat the race as a key tune-up for the Soweto Marathon, where he secured a top finish in last year’s 42.2km event.
With such a competitive lineup, fans can expect an exhilarating contest on the streets Tshwane.
On the women’s side, South African record holder Glenrose Xaba leads the charge. Representing Boxer Running Club, Xaba owns a blistering personal best of 31:12, which she set in Durban last year.
The national marathon record holder is fresh off her victory in the Spar Women’s 10km Grand Prix Tshwane leg two weeks ago, and racing in her home city is extra special for her.
“I always give my best when it comes to the Absa Run Your City, and I’ll do my best on race day,” Xaba told SABC Sport.
Her biggest threat is expected to come from Kenya’s Rebecca Mwangi (31:13), while Ethiopia’s Salem Gebre (31:42) enters the race in top form after winning the Totalsports Women’s 10km in Johannesburg last week.
Four-time Soweto Marathon champion Irvette Van Zyl (32:06) is also targeting a podium finish, particularly because the course includes some hills—a strength she embraces.
“I’m good when it comes to hills, and hopefully I can make the podium in a hometown run,” Van Zyl said.
