An impressive total of R430,000 in incentives will be paid out in recognition of the incredible achievements of local athletes at the 7th edition of the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K that was held on Sunday, 7 July 2024.
The 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K will be remembered as a historic event that set a new benchmark for road running excellence on the African continent. Before 7 July, many believed that Africa’s talented distance runners needed to travel to Europe, the United States, or Asia to achieve fast times. However, the iconic Durban race proved once and for all that world-class performances are indeed possible on African soil.
Finishing in fourth place overall and as the first South African woman, Glenrose Xaba shaved a single second off Elana Meyer’s 23-year-old national 10km record of 31:13, to earn R130 000 in bonuses – R80 000 for running under 31:33 with a further R50 000 for breaking the record. Xaba also earned an additional R15 000 for her fourth-place finish, taking her winnings to an impressive, combined total of R145 000.
Although only available to SA Athletes, special dispensation was made for Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala who finished in 32:01 to secure fifth position and set a new national record for The Mountain Kingdom. For running under 32:08, Khatala walks away with a R60 000-time bonus.
While no individual records were broken in the men’s race, it was no less memorable for the sheer volume of first-rate performances that were recorded. Elroy Gelant won the fast and flat 10km race in a personal best time of 27:47. The first five men finished in under 28 minutes, with four of them being South African. Gelant, Kabelo Mulaudzi (27:53), Thabang Mosiako (27:54) and Stephen Mokoka (27:55) pocket R60 000 each for their efforts in a race where eight of the top eleven men ran faster than they had ever done in their lives before.
A total of R430,000 in incentives will be awarded by organizers to celebrate the outstanding achievements of local athletes at the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. This marks the highest amount ever earned by South African athletes at an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event since its inception.
“It’s fantastic to witness the remarkable achievements of our local athletes at the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, culminating in R430,000 in incentives being awarded,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Improving SA times has been a strong focus of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series since inception in 2015. Congratulations to Glenrose for her record-breaking performance, surpassing Elana’s (Meyer) long-standing record, and to Neheng for setting a new Lesotho record. On the men’s side, the results showcased the best-ever 10km race held in South Africa, with four South African men breaking the 28-minute mark. This demonstrates that this achievement is becoming increasingly attainable for South Africa’s elite. Remarkably, it was only three years ago at the same event that this barrier was broken for the first time.”
In closing Meyer adds: “It’s incredible to witness our elite athletes reaping the rewards of years of hard work, and it’s a privilege for us to see this progress unfold within the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. We look forward to building on these achievements by continuing to offer world-class 10km races that are local and accessible to all.”
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Update Session: Special Incentive Edition – Durban
Join Michael Meyer, Glenrose Xaba, Elroy Gelant and Stephen Mokoka online on Friday 19 July 2024 from 11:00 for an official cheque handover.
Date: Friday 19 July 2024
Time: 11:00
Join online: https://www.facebook.com/Durban10k
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. Sunday 25 August 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Tuesday 24 September 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
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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