With a lineup featuring both world-class performers and South Africa’s top athletes, the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K promises to be a record-breaking event on Sunday, 7 April.
As the fastest athlete in the women’s field, Diana Chepkorir will be making her South African debut. The Kenyan is aiming to improve on the 29:56 career best that she set in Spain in February.
“I decided to come and run in South Africa in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because I heard that fast times can be run here. I am still in good shape after running sub 30 minutes in my first official race outside Kenya. My goal is to win the race and if the weather is good, to run under 30 minutes again,” she said.
Should she achieve her target on Sunday 7 April, then the steeplechaser turned roadrunner would become the first woman to run under 30 minutes for 10km on African soil. For company Chepkorir will have her compatriot Fridah Ndinda, who finished as the runner-up last year in a time of 31:41, while multiple SA Champion Glenrose Xaba and World Road Running Championships top ten finisher Cacisile Sosibo will lead the local charge.
With no clear favourite in the men’s race, the battle will be between national 10km record holder Precious Mashele, SA 21km Champion Thabang Mosiako and the evergreen Elroy Gelant. During last year’s inaugural running of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, Mashele rewrote the history books when he became the fastest South African 10km athlete thanks to a second-place finish behind Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo in 27:35. Having recently returned from the African Games in Ghana where he claimed a top 8 position, Mashele is confident of another good performance on Sunday.
“I ran 13:46 in Ghana which makes me confident that I can pass halfway around 13:50 and that will put me on course for sub 28. I hope God will bless me to be the first man to cross the finish line and if the weather allows then I want to run under 28 minutes again,” says Mashele.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome a stellar lineup of athletes who will be joining us for the 2nd annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “This year, we’ll see a mix of local and international talent, including some of the best in the world, all ready to showcase their skills on ‘The Friendly City’s” beautiful course. We wish all the athletes the best of luck and look forward to an unforgettable race day!”
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:
• Licenced Runners R245.00
• Temp Licence: R30.00
Entry Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Drawstring Bag
• Absa Peak Cap
• Absa Socks
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Astonishing Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Lively Route Entertainment Points
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Pre and Post Event Entertainment
• 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. To view the complete Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.runyourcityseries.com
SA ATHLETE PRIZE INCENTIVES: The “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” is applicable to all five iconic races in the series in 2024 and will offer bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men’s category, bonuses start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R 200,000.00 bonus awaiting anyone who breaks the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses will start for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with a remarkable R200,000.00 incentive being awarded if the 30:23 barrier is broken.
To further elevate the excitement, an additional R50k is on the table for any South African athlete who breaks the current SA 10km record.
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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