'I hear it's a fast course' - Bruce-Lynn Damons targets breakthrough performance at Absa DURBAN 10K

After a positive start to the first half of the year, Bruce-Lynn Damons is confident of breaking new ground when he makes his Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K debut on Sunday, 13 July. A former 1500m specialist with a lifetime best of 3:40.05, the 29-year-old Damons has, in recent years, started stepping up to the 10km distance on the road. The 28:48 personal best he produced at the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K hinted at his considerable potential - further underlined by his strong recent form.

Since joining the Langa Athletics Club earlier this year, Damons has clocked a season's best of 29:29 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 11 May, earned a silver medal at the Western Province 10km Championships, and defended his title at the Gugs Youth Day 10km with a time of 29:36 five weeks later - all while continuing to dominate the 4km event at WPA Cross Country League races in June.

Damons in action during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K where he ran a season's best 29:29. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

As one of a handful of Cape Town athletes able to mix it with South Africa's top 10km contenders - most of whom live and train at altitude in Gauteng and the North West province - Mannenberg-based Damons believes he is ready to deliver the best 10km performance of his career.

"We kicked off the season with two solid performances – the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and the Western Province Athletics 10km Championships. It's been a tough training block, and I’m proud to see the work begin to translate. I'm excited to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K because I've never run it before, and I hear it's a fast race. My aim is to break my personal best and get close to a top ten finish," says Damons.

Damons hard at work in training. His aim is to produce his first ever sub 28:40 clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 13 July. Photo Credit: Wesley M. Jacobs.

"It's incredibly rewarding to witness athletes stepping up to the 10km distance and showing consistent improvement within the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "The action is heating up in Durban, and we wish all the athletes the very best as they prepare to deliver exceptional performances at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in 2025."