Masai and Xaba make history with victories at inaugural Absa MANGAUNG 10K

Masai broke away from the field well before halfway to beat a strong local contingent including seven-time Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series winner Kabelo Mulaudzi, to win the sold-out event in 28:14 as the top three men finished under 29 minutes. Mulaudzi, who won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K last month, settled for second in 28:43 as he chased an eighth series victory. Zenzile Pheko completed the podium in 28:54, securing his third consecutive RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish after placing second in both Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Masai was pleased with his performance.

“I’m feeling good. I didn’t have any competition from the start to the finish. I enjoyed the race,” said the reigning Totalsports TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON Champion.

Masai celebrates his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory after taking ninth position at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Mulaudzi felt he left his challenge too late after allowing Masai to dictate the early pace, admitting that it was a tactical mistake.

“Filex started fast. We thought we would catch him. But by the time we started to close the gap it was too late. I’m happy with today because I’ve been struggling with injury this year. The race was good. It’s just that I closed the gap too late,” he explained.

The men's chasing bunch in action before Masai broke away. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

In the women’s race, Xaba claimed her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory of the year after taking control from the start. Kenyan Jackline Rotich stayed close initially, but the Boxer Athletics Club top runner gradually opened an unassailable gap over her East African rival. South Africa’s fastest female marathoner of all time (2:22:22), crossed the line unchallenged in 32:10, five seconds ahead of Rotich (32:15), as Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala finished took in 32:19. Xaba was delighted to become the first South African woman to win an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race this year.

“I’m happy to win the first Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K. I’m happy that I’m the one who crossed the line first. I’m also happy with my time. Although the course presented us with a challenging hill after 7km, it was an enjoyable route,” she said.

Xaba on her way to winning her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of the year. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Local lass Gerda Steyn finished sixth in 35:01 as the second South African woman home. The five-time Comrades Marathon and seven-time Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON winner who grew up in the northern Free State town of Bothaville and schooled at the University of the Free State, said the event brought prestige to the country’s heartland while inspiring young runners from the region to chase their dreams.

“Never think it can’t be you. When I think back about the years I lived here in Bloemfontein, no one would have thought Gerda would become a professional athlete, win the Comrades or become an Olympian. You can become something if you work really hard for it and believe in your dreams. You can become great if you are willing to put in the hard work on a daily basis,” she said.

Reigning Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon champions Gerda Steyn and Arthur Jantjies running stride for stride. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

“The inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K has been a fantastic addition to the series, and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in bringing this event to the streets of Mangaung. Congratulations to Filex Masai and Glenrose Xaba on their outstanding performances, and to every one of the 5000 athletes who took on the challenge. A huge thank you goes to our valued sponsors and partners, the thousands of entrants who joined us, and the incredible supporters who came out to cheer on the runners. Your enthusiasm and support helped make this inaugural event a memorable success. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to grow the sport of road running in Mangaung and across South Africa.”

Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorship at Absa Group, said the warm reception from the Mangaung community made the series’ first visit to the city a truly special occasion, reinforcing Absa’s excitement about building a lasting connection with the local running community.

5000 runners and walkers painted the streets of Mangaung red. Photo Credit: Anton Opperman.

“What an incredible welcome we received in Mangaung! The energy, enthusiasm and community spirit were truly evident on race day. Seeing runners, walkers and families coming together made the event an unforgettable experience. We are grateful for the warmth, support and sense of unity shown by the people of Mangaung, which made our first event in the city so special. We look forward to returning in the years ahead, building on this incredible foundation and making the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K bigger and better with each edition.”