'Our focus for 2026 is to reward exceptional performances' - Absa RYC ups prize money

Stillwater Sports, organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series have announced their prize money and SA Athletes incentives for the 2026 season. This year each of the five events will boast a total prize allocation of R337 200.00 where the top male and female finishers in each city will take home R33 000.00, while second place will earn R24 000.00 and third place R21 000.00 bringing the total prize purse to R1 686 000.00. Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports says the prize money which is complemented by the innovative SA athlete incentive programme is designed to ignite standout performances and unforgettable moments in 2026.

"In 2025, we paid out an impressive total of R1.9 million in Prize Money and SA Athlete Incentives - an achievement we’re incredibly proud of as event organisers. Building on this momentum, our focus for 2026 is to reward exceptional performances even further and elevate the level of competition in South African middle-distance running," he explained.

Kabelo Mulaudzi, Nadeel Wildschutt and Elroy Gelant in action in the 2025 Absa RYC. These three and many South African athletes will be looking to cash in on the SA Athletes incentive programme. Photo Credit: Mark Sampson.

One athlete who cashed in on both prize money and incentives was Adriaan Wildschutt. The Olympians and five-time SA Record holder set a new national 10km record at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K last April, earning an impressive R200 000 from his record-breaking run in The Friendly City. The US-based top runner has will be back in Nelson Mandela Bay in March to attempt at Maxime Chaumeton's SA Record of 26:55, which would make him the first human being to run a sub 27 minute 10km on African soil.

"The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been a huge help in providing opportunities for us to run fast and compete against high-quality athletes. The incentives they provide also motivate us to prepare well for these races, which further enhances the competition," says Wildschutt.

Adriaan Wildschutt earned R200 000 in prize money and incentives when he won the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

Were he to break the 27 minute barrier, then Ceres-born athlete would earn R300 000 for breaking the 27 minute barrier and an additional R50 000 for breaking the SA Record. The Elite Women’s race is equally rewarding, with bonuses starting for times faster than 32:08, and an outstanding R300 000.00 bonus for athletes who dip under 30:20. A new SA Record (the fastest runner) will secure an additional R50 000.

For men whose aim is to dip under 28 minutes, then a bonus of R20 000 for breaking 28 minutes twice during the 2026 series, and R30 000 for doing it thrice is on offer. While elite women will be paid a bonus of R20 000 for breaking 32:08 twice during the 2026 series and R30 000 bonus for breaking 32:08 three times in 2026. Meyer says paying elite athletes well is one of the pillars on which the success of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is built.

Glenrose Xaba was the highest paid SA female athlete in 2025 after winning in Cape Town and Tshwane. Photo Credit: Tyrone Winfield.

"Offering an impressive prize purse is extremely important to us and we are proud to once again be able to do so at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2026. We believe that a strong prize purse does more than reward dedication and loyalty towards the series - it fuels ambition and inspires athletes to chase extraordinary performances. That is why we are proud to continue growing our prize purse each year with 2026 featuring a combined prize purse of R1 686 000.00."