Records on offer as top runners target fast times at Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K

With a lineup featuring both world-class performers and South Africa's top athletes, the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K promises to be a record-breaking event on Sunday, 7 April. As the fastest athlete in the women’s field, Diana Chepkorir will be making her South African debut. The Kenyan is aiming to improve on the 29:56 career best that she set in Spain in February.

"I decided to come and run in South Africa in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because I heard that fast times can be run here. I am still in good shape after running sub 30 minutes in my first official race outside Kenya. My goal is to win the race and if the weather is good, to run under 30 minutes again," she said.

Should she achieve her target on Sunday 7 April, then the steeplechaser turned road runner would become the first woman to run under 30 minutes for 10km on African soil. For company Chepkorir will have her compatriot Fridah Ndinda, who finished as the runner-up last year in a time of 31:41, while multiple SA Champion Glenrose Xaba and World Road Running Championships top ten finisher Cacisile Sosibo will lead the local charge.

With no clear favourite in the men’s race, the battle will be between national 10km record holder Precious Mashele, SA 21km Champion Thabang Mosiako and the evergreen Elroy Gelant. During last year’s inaugural running of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, Mashele rewrote the history books when he became the fastest South African 10km athlete thanks to a second-place finish behind Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo in 27:35. Having recently returned from the African Games in Ghana where he claimed a top 8 position, Mashele is confident of another good performance on Sunday.

"I ran 13:46 in Ghana which makes me confident that I can pass halfway around 13:50 and that will put me on course for sub 28. I hope God will bless me to be the first man to cross the finish line and if the weather allows then I want to run under 28 minutes again," says Mashele.

"We're incredibly excited to welcome a stellar lineup of athletes who will be joining us for the second annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "This year, we'll see a mix of local and international talent, including some of the best in the world, all ready to showcase their skills on The Friendly City’s beautiful course. We wish all the athletes the best of luck and look forward to an unforgettable race day!"