"This is big" - Jantjies praises Absa MANGAUNG 10K organisers for opening the doors of opportunity to Free State & Northern Cape top runners

2026 Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON Champion Arthur Jantjies is excited about the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, which will take place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, saying it will breathe new life into the sport of athletics in South Africa's heartland by empowering and inspiring the next generation of top runners.

The 26-year-old Jantjies, who defeated the likes of 2024 Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON Champion Onalenna Khonkhobe to claim victory at 'The World’s Most Beautiful Ultra Marathon' in April, believes that local youngsters can only be inspired when they line up alongside some of South Africa's finest.

"This is big for the Free State and the Northern Cape because we will be able to run against the best and share knowledge," explained Jantjies, who clocked 3:09:25 to win this year’s Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON after joining legendary ultra-marathon coach John Hamlett at the beginning of the season.

Jantjies during his junior days when he campaigned for his local running club - Hopetown Running Club. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Under Hamlett's guidance, Jantjies saw his 10km personal best improve to 29:19 in May, which was followed by a 29:32 clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 12 July. The Pan African Resources elite athlete is predicting a fast time on the flat Free State Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K route, warning that he cannot be counted out of a top-10 finish.

"We have a flat course and dry air, so everything is nice here," adds Jantjies, who hails from the Northern Cape town of Hopetown, situated roughly 120km from Kimberley.

Commenting on Jantjies' participation, Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, said: "Arthur is a fantastic addition to the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, and his journey from the Free State and Northern Cape running community to becoming a Totalsports TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON champion is hugely inspiring. Bringing the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series to Mangaung is about more than adding another race to the calendar; it's about creating opportunities for local runners to compete alongside some of South Africa’s best and showing the next generation what is possible. Having Arthur in the mix at the inaugural event makes his participation particularly special."