Injury-free Mulaudzi hungry for fast time at Absa CAPE TOWN 10K

Asked to pinpoint the source of his 10km dominance, South African 10 000m champion Kabelo Mulaudzi says the support - both financial and institutional - that he has received from the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has allowed him to grow.

Mr Podium claimed his first top three finish in SA’s most competitive 10km series in 2022 when he took third place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. Since then the man coached by Richard Mayer has gone on to win six Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES races and three consecutive national cross country titles.

Mulaudzi on his way to a memorable 27:49 victory at the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

"I have to thank Michael Meyer and the entire Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series for the support that they have given me over the years. They are still supporting me now and that means a lot to me. That's why I always honour their invitation and come to their races," said the 28-year-old.

This year the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 10 May will be the Boxer Athletic Club top runner's first RYC race of the year after injury forced him to skip the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 1 March. But after clocking 28:52.56 to win a maiden track title at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track & Field Championships in Stellenbosch on Thursday 16 April, the defending champion is ready for his first main 10km race of 2026. 

"Honestly, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself because I'm the defending champion. I’ll just go there and enjoy the race. Whatever happens, happens because I'm still getting back into my best shape. But I’m hoping to deliver good results on the day."

Mulaudzi faces a tough battle against Kenya's Felix Kibet Masai who is in excellent form after winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Mulaudzi, who is the holder of a 27:41 lifetime best, is likely to get his stiffest competition from Felix Kibet Masai. After setting a personal best of 27:24 in France on 4 April and winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon a week later, Masai is brimming with confidence. The Kenyan has his sights set on eclipsing Joshua Chetegei's SA All Comers Record of 27:16 on his South African 10km debut and Mulaudzi sees that as a good thing.

"It's a good thing to invite the fast Kenyans because they push the pace and we'll run fast times. My target is to finish on the podium as always. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself though. The win will be a bonus for me because it’s not easy to defend a title. If I can run under 27:45 or a personal best I’ll be happy."