SA Champs silver medalist Hendricks sets sights on first sub-29 finish at Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K

Having overcome the fear that once held him back, SA Championships silver medalist Deon-Lee Hendricks is relishing the finest season of his career and is firmly focused on achieving even greater success at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

"The goal for the SA Championships was to go out there and win the 10 000m," said Hendricks after clocking a personal best 28:55.93 in the 10 000m final at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track &Field Championships in Stellenbosch on Thursday 16 April to finish just over three seconds behind champion Kabelo Mulaudzi.

Hendricks in action at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. He is aiming for a maiden 28 minute 10km clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 10 May. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

"But after running the Two Oceans Half Marathon I just wanted to run a fast 10 000m because it was only a week after the 21km. Then after 22 laps, I tried to win it. I gave it my all and fell short by three seconds. I ended up being second, but now I know exactly what to work on."

That he was confident enough to attack the 25 laps of the track at the national championships just four days after completing the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD in 1:08:39 speaks volumes. Hendricks is brimming with confidence. The 28-year-old who is coached by Jacques van Rensburg credits his coach and multiple SA-Record holder Adriaan Wildschutt for his newfound self-belief.

"The reason why I believe that 2026 belongs to me is because this is the first time ever that I go into a race without being scared. My mentality now is to be one of the front-runners. I believe in myself. I believe in my training. I believe in my coach. I got really good insight training with Adriaan and Nadeel. They believe in me and told me I can do it."

Hendricks poses with his silver medal earned at the 2026 ASA Senior Track & Field Championships. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Armed with this new mindset and in arguably the best physical condition of his life, the Athletes Academy top runner has high hopes for his second Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of the year. Hendricks ran the second fastest 10km time of his career (29:27) when he took fifteenth place at a windy Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 1 March. He believes that The Mother City on Mother's Day is the place and time for him to run under 29 minutes for the first time in his life.

"I'm chasing all the fast times. I want to run a really fast time at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. I want to be present in the race, not to just run. I want to go out with the lead bunch and run a smart race. I no longer think about running at the back. Each time I stand on the line, I know that I’m going to give it my all. I want to run well in every single

race regardless of the weather conditions. I want to be happy with my results. I want to run 28 minutes."

Backing Hendricks’ confidence and current form, Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, is optimistic about what the rising star can achieve on race day. "Deon-Lee’s journey this season has been incredibly inspiring. To see him move beyond the fear that once limited his potential and step into a space where he's truly

backing his ability speaks volumes about his growth as an athlete. As a SA Championships silver medalist, he's already shown his class, but what's most exciting is his hunger for more. We’re confident that he’ll line up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K ready to build on this momentum and challenge himself against a world-class field."