"We must all come together and then something good can happen" - The stage is set for the greatest 10km on African soil at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR DURBAN 10K

As multiple world record holder Joshua Cheptegei prepares to participate in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 12 July 2026 alongside a world class field of athletes, the stage is set for the greatest 10km race on African soil where the men will target the first sub 27 minute 10km on the continent and the women aim to produce the first 29 minute clocking in an African 10km race. 

Cheptegei returns to the country after an eight-year absence, following his record-breaking performance of 27:16, the fastest 10km time ever run in South Africa, in the same event. The 29-year-old reigning Olympic 10,000m champion believes that they will have to work hard to run the very first 26 minute 10km on African soil.

"Running is the same as football these days, it has become a team sport. If the organisers want us to run sub 27 minutes all of us must come together then something good can happen," explains Cheptegei who holds a 10km personal best time of 26:38.

Gilbert Kiprotich (Kenya), Joshua Cheptegei (Multiple Olympic and World Champion, and current world record holder in both the 5 000m and 10 000m / Uganda), Stephen Mokoka (South Africa) and Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa).  PHOTO CREDIT: Dawn Oosthuis.

Cheptegei is going to be challenged by the likes of Gilbert Kiprotich, the race’s defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi (27:41) and former SA 10km record holder Stephen Mokoka (27:38). For Mulaudzi, who has won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K twice in his career, the opportunity to test himself against Cheptegei comes at just the right time."

"I have done well in Durban in the past and I want to continue with that record. I think I'm in a good shape as I struggled at the Great Manchester 10K Run (31 May) with race fitness. I don't want to put myself under pressure, but I always want to finish on the podium, the plan hasn't changed," explains Mulaudzi who is coached by Richard Mayer. 

Tayla Kavanagh (South Africa), Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) and Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya). PHOTO CREDIT: Dawn Oosthuis.

Another contender in the men's race is Kenyan Kiprotich who comes with the a 27:43 personal best time and is eyeing to improve his time. After running a 27:01 10km split at the Lisbon Half Marathon on 08 March, Kiprotich is confident of running under 27 minutes, especially if the race's top contenders can work together. 

"The reason I decided to come to Durban is because I wanted to get a personal best time. Cheptegei is here and I know we are going to push. When a strong and a good athlete comes to race it means we are going to help each other to push the pace," said Kiprotich.

In the women's race, all eyes will be on Kenya's Brenda Jepchirchir - the fastest in the field with an incredible 29:25 personal best. Jepchirchir will be eyeing the first sub 30 minute 10km clocking by a woman on African soil and another Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory after her triumph at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 1 March. 

Nicola Martin (Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Elite Athlete Manager), Joshua Cheptegei (Multiple Olympic and World Champion, and current world record holder in both the 5 000m and 10 000m / Uganda) and Michael Meyer (Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder). PHOTO CREDIT: Dawn Oosthuis.

"If the weather is good and the body responds, I'll push," warned Jepchirchir. Meanwhile reigning SA 5000m champion Tayla Kavanagh will recall her famous victory at the 2021 edition of this race, as she relies on home ground advantage to improve on her 31:26 personal best on Sunday. 

"It's special to have hometown support, I'm looking forward to Sunday. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is special to me as back in 2021, I won the race when it doubled up as the SA 10km Champs. I am really looking forward to seeing what we can produce on Sunday," said Kavanagh.

"We are honoured to welcome Joshua Cheptegei to South Africa. Seeing one of the world's greatest distance runners compete on local roads will inspire the next generation of South African athletes to pursue their dreams," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "The calibre of the elite field is extraordinary, and the conditions are there for world-class performances. We could witness history with the men&'s race challenging the 27-minute barrier on African soil, while the women's race, with Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir taking the lead, has the potential to produce the continent's first sub-30-minute performance. It's exactly the type of racing we envisioned when we set out to establish the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series as a world-class road running platform for both international and South African athletes."

"In the lead-up to race day, we have witnessed an incredible sense of excitement and unity building among runners, supporters, and partners alike. The preparation, passion, and stories already emerging remind us why events like these matter, they create spaces for connection, belonging, and shared achievement. At Absa, we are proud to stand alongside a community that continues to show up with such energy and purpose," said Rendani Muambadzi, Absa Group Provincial Executive, Kwa-Zulu Natal.