Muluadzi aims to continue podium streak, while Taljaard targets PB at Absa CAPE TOWN 10K

By securing the bronze medal in the 5000m at the Athletics South Africa Senior Track and Field Championships on Saturday, 26 April 2025, Kabelo Mulaudzi extended a remarkable streak of podium finishes that dates back to September 2024 - a run he hopes to continue at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 11 May.

"I'm consistent in my training," Mulaudzi said when asked about the secret to his perennial podium positions in the wake of his 14:01.89 clocking at the Ken McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom at the SA Champs. "Whether I’m running a championship race or any other race, my aim is always to finish on the podium even when my body doesn’t respond well. In those cases I push myself to make sure that I'm on the podium."

Muluadzi finished on the podium during the first race of the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES in Gqeberha. Photo Credit: Stillwater Sports.

In 2025, 'Mr Podium's' top three finishes include victory at the Motsepe Foundation Race to Gender Equality 10km, gold over twelve and a half laps of the track at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Championships and a third career sub 28 minute clocking when he took third place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 13 April. Stopping the clock in 27:57 in ‘The Friendly City’ left Mulaudzi just four seconds shy of equalling his lifetime best - a time which he wants to improve on in 'The Mother City' on Mother’s Day.

"This time around I want to give it a go in Cape Town. My target is to run sub 28 and try and get a PB since I missed it in Gqeberha. If I can run 27 minutes and get a PB and finish on the podium, then I’ll be happy."

Also looking to run a personal best is Zanthe Taljaard. The 21-year-old surprised many with her breakthrough performance in Nelson Mandela Bay as she smashed her career best 10km time by over a minute. Taljaard ran 33:58 for ninth place against a world class assembly of elite women. Coached by André Venter the Boxer Athletics Club top runner from Heidelberg is high on confidence after grabbing the bronze medal in a personal best 16:39.24 behind Glenrose Xaba and Karabo More over 5000m at the national championships.

Taljaard is aiming to produce a maiden sub 34 minute clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

“I’m training very hard. I’m doing more kilometres a week. But part of training hard means that I take my rest and recovery days very seriously. I would love to run 33:30 in Cape Town. That’s my aim,” said Taljaard. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Kabelo Mulaudzi back to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. Kabelo brings fantastic experience, fierce competition, and a real hunger to set a new personal best," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. "At the same time, it's equally exciting to welcome rising star Zanthe Taljaard to the field. After a great performance in Gqeberha and an impressive run over 5000m at the SA Championships, Zanthe is definitely a talent to watch. It's incredibly special, in the 10th anniversary year of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES in Cape Town, to see seasoned campaigners and aspiring young athletes lining up together. We look forward to an unforgettable showdown on race day!"