"A spectacular show" - World Champions Assemble for Africa's Greatest 10K at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

In the wake of the landmark announcement that Stillwater Sports, the Event and Experience Specialists behind the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, have secured Ugandan distance running superstar Joshua Cheptegei for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 12 July 2026, anticipation continues to build as a world-class field of elite men and women prepare to chase history on what promises to be the greatest 10km on African soil.

Headlining the men’s field with a personal best 26:38, all eyes will be on double Olympic champion Cheptegei who could become the first man on earth to break the 27 minute barrier in the 10km on African soil. Though modest in his outlook, the reigning 5000m and 10 000m World Record holder believes anything is possible.

Chpetegei and Mokoka go head to head during the 2018 RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. The Ugandan Superstar is back and could make history by becoming the first runner to break the 27 minute 10km barrier in a race run on African soil. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

"South Africa is actually a very good place for me to run, especially because I'll be racing on African soil. It's a beautiful feeling," says Cheptegei, who set the South African All-Comers Record of 27:16 when he competed in the 2018 RUN YOUR CITY Series. "At the moment, my focus is to run a good race and enjoy the city and the people of Durban. It would be an

honour for the record to be broken on African soil. I think that would be great for African athletics."

Yet even as history beckons, the swarm of global media attention will not be on Cheptegei alone as a more than capable men’s elite field relishes in the opportunity of toeing the line against one of the greatest middle and long distance runners of all time. Most notably, the Kenyan duo of Felix Masai who won the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD in April and is a 27:24 athlete at his best, along with Gilbert Kiprotich are expected to provide a stern test for Cheptegei. Kiprotich in particular clocked a breathtaking 27:01 10km split on the way to a 58:59 podium finish at the Lisbon Half Marathon in early March. That performance, coupled with his 27:19.35 10 000m personal best has him bubbling over with self-belief that he too can run a 26 minute 10km.

"I believe I am capable of running comfortably under 27:00 in Durban. We are hoping for favourable weather conditions and strong pacing on race day. I feel inspired by the opportunity to race against Joshua Cheptegei. He is a world-class athlete, and competing alongside him will provide valuable experience and contribute significantly to my development as a professional athlete," says Kiprotich.

Brenda Jepchirchir came close to breaking the 30 minute barrier at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, she is hoping for good weather on 12 July in Durban as she looks to become the first woman to run a 29 minute 10km on African soil. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

The women's race promises to be just as historic as the second fastest athlete of 2026 (29:25) and the joint fourth fastest of all-time Brenda Jepchirchir goes head to head with 3000m steeplechase World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoech. Despite winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K comfortably in 30:15, windy conditions scuppered Jepchirchir's plans to become the first woman to run a sub 30 minute 10km on African soil on 1 March. The Kenyan returns to South Africa with a score to settle.

"My experience in Gqeberha was wonderful. It was my first time racing in South Africa, and I was very excited to compete there. The conditions were challenging due to the strong wind, but I still felt there was more to give. If the conditions are favourable and the race unfolds well, I would love to run under 30 minutes. It would be a significant milestone in my career, and I believe it is possible," says Jepchirchir.

Beatrice Chepkoech is looking forward to putting on a spectacular show. Photo Credit: GSC Media House.

Now 34 years old and with over a decade of world class experience under her belt, Beatrice Chepkoech, who is the holder of an impressive 30:56 10km lifetime best, recognises the magnitude of the moment that lies ahead. While the 2019 World Champion aims to use the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K as an important step on the road to peak fitness after

recently giving birth, she is excited to line up on the start line of the greatest 10km race on African soil.

"This is what every athlete dreams of: building a legacy that will endure in the world of athletics. I'm happy to be part of history. My intention is to run a great race and, together, put on a spectacular show," says Chepkoech.