After setting a national record of 27:35 when he took second place at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2023, Precious Mashele has confirmed his participation in 2024 when the iconic race returns to the friendly city come Sunday 7 April.
As he prepares to qualify for his second consecutive Olympic Games appearance in Paris later this year, the multiple SA Champion says that the 2023 race in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has a special place in his heart.
“I love the atmosphere of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. There are lots of top runners and social runners who encourage us when we run. I have good memories because I won in Durban in 2021 and I ran a national record in Gqeberha last year. The plan is to run faster than last year.”
Apart from his participation in Gqeberha, the man who will represent South Africa over 5000m at the upcoming African Games in Ghana says that the entire Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series of races (there are five events in total) will form an important part of his overall 2024 season.
“I would like to thank Stillwater Sports (the organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series) for giving us the opportunity to race again. These races help us to run fast times. We’re happy because the series is here again in 2024, and we are looking forward to running personal bests. Running in the Olympics will help me run fast at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races. If I qualify for the Olympics it will give me an advantage when I run the Absa races,” he explained.
While Mashele leads the South African charge at the first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of the year, there will once again be a strong East African contingent. In the women’s race, Kenya’s Nancy Sang will lineup at the start in Beach Road.
“I feel happy and glad to be part of the race. Although it will be my first time, I know it’s an important event in Africa where good performances have been made in past years,” said Sang on her inclusion to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K start-list.
Better known as a steeplechase runner with an impressive personal best of 9:56.0 set at altitude in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in 2018, Sang intends to use the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series to launch her international career as a road runner.
“I feel it is the right time to venture into road running. I had a good 10km debut of 31:09 but now I want more. I am preparing well for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. If conditions are good, the goal is to break the 31-minute barrier.”
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series provides a premier platform for athletes, both local and from abroad, to showcase world-class performances on African soil,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “In 2023, the Series witnessed remarkable victories by Kenyan World Championships 10,000m silver medalist, Daniel Ebenyo, in Gqeberha, and world record holder Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia in Durban. These are just two examples from an impressive lineup of international athletes who graced the series. The 2024 edition promises to be equally exciting, as we continue to attract the finest talent from around the globe, elevating the standard of 10km running on the African continent.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. Sunday 07 April 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Start & Finish Venue: Beach Road, Kings Beach, Humewood, Gqeberha
Start Time: 07:00
Entry Fee:
Standard Entry:
• Licenced Runners R245.00
• Temp Licence: R30.00
Standard Entry Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Entrant Gifts
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Improbable Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Lively Route Entertainment Points
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal
2. Sunday 12 May 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
3. Sunday 07 July 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
4. Sunday 25 August 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Tuesday 24 September 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000. Within this allocation, R252,000 will be earmarked for the Open Category, with R126,000 dedicated to the Top 10 Open Men and R126,000 to the Top 10 Open Women. Additionally, R60,000 will be designated for Age Categories. The top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers. The Age Category Prize Purse will be distributed among the top three finishers in each of the Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, and 70+ Age Categories.
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.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
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 Series.
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