With only one race remaining in the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, South Africa’s top runners are gearing up for an intense showdown against their East African rivals. Reigning Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K champion, Elroy Gelant, and newly crowned SA 10km Cross Country champion, Kabelo Mulaudzi, are set to go head-to-head with Kenya’s Gideon Kipngetich at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day, 24 September.
The unheralded Kenyan, Gideon Kipngetich, was the surprise standout at last month’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, finishing second behind Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo after leading for nearly 9km. Kabelo Mulaudzi, who finished third in that race, just ahead of Elroy Gelant in fourth, admits they underestimated Kipngetich—a mistake they won’t be making again in Joburg.
“He is a very tough guy and I respect him a lot. He is dangerous because he is a strong front runner and he can get away from you without giving you a chance to close the gap,” Mulaudzi explained.
But for the man who claimed the runner-up position at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, beating Kipngetich is not his primary objective.
“My goal is to finish the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series on a high note. That means I am targeting a podium finish again and perhaps if I can be in the mix with 1 kilometer to go, I can sneak a win from Gideon and the other runners,” he added.
Gelant plays his cards slightly closer to his chest. Poised to rewrite the history books by becoming the first athlete to achieve five consecutive Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series top ten finishes in a single calendar year, the Boxer Athletics Club veteran says only that he aims to do well in The City of Gold to end off a magnificent season during which he claimed a celebrated eleventh place in the marathon at #Paris2024.
“After the Olympics, my initial plan was to relax and recover, but I found my competitive spirit hard to resist, which is why I am still motivated to participate in the remainder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. For the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K, I want to give my best, so my coach and I included some speed track workouts to stay sharp, especially after the Olympic Marathon,” says Gelant.
In the women’s race, Glenrose Xaba is the outright favourite to win the highly anticipated 10km run through the Johannesburg CBD after setting a new 10km SA Record of 31:12 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July and winning last month’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in 31:51 which was the fastest 10km time ever run by a South African women at altitude.
“We’re thrilled to have such a stellar lineup for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K, with top athletes like Elroy Gelant, Kabelo Mulaudzi, Kenya’s Gideon Kipngetich, and Glenrose Xaba all in the mix. The competition is sure to be fierce, and it promises to be a truly exciting race. There’s no better way to close off what has been a fantastic 2024 series, especially on National Heritage Day.” – Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. COMPLETED / Sunday 07 April 2024
Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 28:01
Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:15
2. COMPLETED / Sunday 12 May 2024
Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 27:52
Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:47
3. COMPLETED / Sunday 07 July 2024
Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Men’s Winner: Elroy Gelant (South Africa) 0:27:47
Women’s Winner: Christine Njoki (Kenya) 0:30:37
4. COMPLETED / Sunday 25 August 2024
Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Men’s Winner: Kamohelo Mofolo (LES) 28:40
Women’s Winner: Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 31:51
5. NEXT UP: Tuesday 24 September 2024
Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Start Time: 08:00
Start Line: Lilian Ngoyi Street / Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg
Finish Line: Rahima Moosa Street / Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg
EXCITING NEWS: In 2024, each of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events will showcase unique, city-specific medals, adding a personalized touch to the participant experience reflective of the host city’s essence and character.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has welcomed the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events in 2024. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
WIN A CAR: All entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will stand a chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize, runners need to complete three simple steps: first, register for the event and pay the entry fee; second, collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times; and finally, ensure you’re on the start line on event day. The winner will be announced before the start of the race.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY.
Watch a Gelant, Mulaudzi, and Kipngetich Set for Showdown at Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K video:
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