Mr Podium eyes first Absa RYC top 3 of 2026 while Xaba is ready to challenge for victory at the Absa TSHWANE 10K

Buoyed by the confidence of another world-class performance at altitude, Glenrose Xaba is ready to compete for victory, while Kabelo Mulaudzi eyes his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish of the season at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on Sunday, 23 August 2026.

"Sunday was definitely one of my best 10km performances at altitude," admitted Xaba after clocking an eye-catching 32:11 to win the Totalsports Women’s Race (TWR) Johannesburg on Sunday, 16 August.

"Running a low 32 minutes in Johannesburg is something I'm very proud of, especially because the conditions at altitude can make it challenging. I went into the race trusting my training and focusing on executing my race plan, so to come away with the victory gives me a lot of confidence and shows me that the hard work is paying off."

Mulaudzi in action during the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K which came down to a sprint finish as Mr Podium and Ethiopia's Akilu Asfaw broke the tape together. Mulaudzi won on a photo finish. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

South Africa's 10km record holder (31:12) will have her hard work tested on Sunday, 23 August, when she lines up alongside a number of talented East Africans, headlined by the Kenyan duo of Doreen Cherop (30:43) and Deborah Chemutai (31:39). But after winning last year’s race in a memorable sub-32-minute clocking (31:50), Tshwane-based Xaba is counting on her extensive knowledge of the course and conditions to see her through.

"The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is a race I always look forward to because I have performed well there before and I enjoy the atmosphere. After Sunday’s (TWR) performance, my confidence is high, but I also know that every race is different. My goal is to compete for the win, run a strong time and, if the conditions allow, challenge my personal best. Most importantly, I want to execute my race well and see what I can achieve on the day."

Glenrose Xaba is in excellent form after winning the Totalsports Women's Race. Photo Credit: Tyrone Winfield.

The men's defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi is also keenly anticipating the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, albeit for different reasons. The Boxer Athletics Club ace won four of five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races last year, but is yet to claim a top-three Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series finish this year. An injury forced the 28-year-old to miss the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in March, while the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K was cancelled. But a season’s best 28:06 to grab sixth position at last month’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K has left Mr Podium more confident about his prospects of placing inside the top three on 23 August.

"Although I was set back by the hamstring injury I picked up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, I am very happy with my training over the last two weeks and I had a very encouraging time trial earlier in the week," confirms Mulaudzi.

Recognising the depth of quality in a field of top runners that includes Kenyan Salem Kibet, who ran a lifetime best 27:29 to finish as runner-up behind the great Joshua Cheptegei at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 12 July, Mulaudzi is likely to adopt a more cautious tactical racing approach as he targets his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish of 2026.

“I think I always do well at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K because my family comes to watch me race in Tshwane. I do well because I don't want to let them down. I would be delighted with a podium finish."