'I hope we run as fast as possible' - Faith Cherono to race Absa GQEBERHA 10K

Following the announcement that sub 30 minute 10km runner Brenda Jepchirchir will make her South African debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Stillwater Sports have added another top runner to what will be the fastest field ever assembled for women's 10km race on the African continent. Jepchirchir's training partner who is a formidable competitor in her own right, will also line up at the first race of the Absa 10km series on 1 March.

Cherono, who began her career as a 5000m athlete and cross country runner, initially caught the attention of the road running public when she ran a then personal best 30:50 to claim fourth position at the 2022 Adizero Road To Records race in Germany. But after taking some time off, the 27-year-old came back to the sport, where a gradual return to form saw her produce a scintillating lifetime best of 30:06 at last month’s Valencia 10K.

Cherono is looking forward to a fast pace in the women's race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K that could deliver Africa's first sub 30 minute 10km clocking. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Valencia's 10km course is very fast and there are many strong athletes to run with. I am grateful to have made a comeback after a break which was health-related. My improvement in Valencia was a result of lots of hard work with my teammates including Brenda (Jepchirchir). It took a lot of time to fight back and I am thankful to have made it," said Cherono, reflecting on a memorable performance at the highly competitive Spanish race which now makes her the sixth fastest 10km female athlete of the 2026 season.

Boosted by that run, Cherono's world ranking makes her highly sought after by race organisers around the world. The East African says she opted to make her South African debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because there's something special about an African competing in a world class event on home soil.

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES has a history of attracting the best female talent. Former world record holder Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia who is a 29:14 10km athlete at her best, won the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR DURBAN 10K. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

"I enjoy racing around the world and I am happy to head to South Africa. Running fast on African soil, supporting serious and professional race organisers is important to me as a Kenyan woman."

This affinity for racing on the continent she calls home is likely to fuel Cherono when she laces up to take on a course that has produced a number of national records including two SA Men's 10km records. And after claiming a determined fifth place behind winner Agnes Ngetich in the elite women’s 10km race at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour event in the Rift Valley on Valentines Day, Cherono is not ruling out the possibility of producing the first ever sub 30 minute 10km clocking by a woman on African soil.

"I did well over the weekend in the gruelling Sirikwa Cross Country in Eldoret, Kenya. I fought very hard and I was happy with the result especially because I was still in full training as I wrap up my preparations for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. I really hope we will have a big day and run as fast as possible."