"Everyone had forgotten about me" - Mulaudzi wins Absa JOBURG 10K
Kabelo Mulaudzi reminded his doubters of his brilliance when he successfully defended his Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day (Thursday, 24 September 2026) at Mary Fitzgerald Square, while Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai dominated the women’s race to clinch her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory.
Mulaudzi raised his hands aloft in celebration as he crossed the line on Rahima Moosa Street to secure his first win of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series after battling with a frustrating hamstring injury throughout the season. In a tactical race, Mr Podium, as he’s affectionately known, bided his time in a chasing bunch that was hot on the heels of early pace-setter Dolphine Chelimo of Uganda.
The Boxer Athletics Club top runner, who won four of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races last year, made his decisive move in the final 3km as he surged past Chelimo to take the lead and ultimately cross the finish line in 28:48, missing his own course record of 28:39 by nine seconds.
“I wanted to defend my title because everyone had forgotten about me. I’m happy to be back. It’s my first win of the year and in the series. I’m very happy,” Mulaudzi said.
“I’ve been struggling this year but I’m happy with my performance and defending my title. The injury is fine, it’s just that the race was tactical because it’s high altitude, it’s hot and you are running fast and slow. So, you have to adjust,” he added.
Mulaudzi, whose coach Richard Mayer jumped with joy as he entered the finishing straight, thanked Mayer for his unwavering support, as well as series founder and Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer for another successful event.
“I would like to thank my coach and Ntate Michael Meyer for organising such a good race, as well as my sponsor PUMA SA and club Boxer for their support.”
The in-form Zenzile Pheko, fresh from his second-place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, made it two consecutive runner-up finishes when he held off a determined Stephen Kangethe of Kenya in a sprint finish to clock 28:52. The Kenyan also finished in 28:52 to claim third place.
Chemutai, meanwhile, was in superb form, crossing the finish line unchallenged to take the honours in 32:50 and improve on the third-place finish she achieved at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August. She led a Kenyan sweep of the podium, with Mercy Jelimo finishing second in 33:10 and Esther Borura clocking 33:27 for third place.
“I’m happy to win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. The race was hard but I tried. It was my second 10km race. The course was hard and it was a little bit windy but I’m happy I won,” said Chemutai.
Following a spectacular National Heritage Day celebration in Johannesburg, Stillwater Sports Managing Director and series Founder Michael Meyer paid tribute to the winners, elite athletes, runners and supporters who made the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K a memorable occasion:
“Congratulations to Kabelo Mulaudzi and Deborah Chemutai on claiming gold against an impressive field today, and to the entire elite field for giving us a truly world-class display of racing at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. The racing was exceptional, but what made the day really special was the incredible atmosphere created by thousands of runners and supporters who came out to celebrate National Heritage Day with us. A huge thank you to every entrant, our sponsors, partners, stakeholders, volunteers and supporters for being part of such a memorable day.
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