World Class line up for Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K this weekend!

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K will once again feature a world class line up of both international and South African athletes in the men’s and women’s fields come Sunday 9 July 2023.

Women take center stage:
Too often it is the men who carry the headlines, this time around though the spotlight is firmly on the women, as World Record Holder in the 10km (Mixed Race), Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) seeks to add the women’s only 10km world record to her resume. The world record she set in the mixed race stands at 29:14 and the time she needs to beat to also claim the women’s only record is 30:01.

But it is not all about Yehualaw as there is a plethora of quality ladies lining up. Back to try and break her SA All Comers record of 30:40 run at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in 2022 is Uganda’s Stella Chesang. Winner of the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, Bekelech Teku Wariyo (Ethiopia) will also line up and after her 31:36 in the Friendly City, will be looking to give Chesang a good run for her money. As will Asayech Tadele (Ethiopia) who boasts a 5000m best of 15:06.35. Runner up at this year’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K, Docus Ajok (Uganda) will be looking to go sub 32 after the 32:09 in the Mother City. Then there is Lesotho’s three-time National Record Holder, Neheng Khatala who has posted her three best ever 10km times in the series. Khatala boasts a best of 32:06 run in Cape Town in 2022 and in 2023 came within 7 seconds of that time in very windy conditions. Flying the South African flag is high flying Glenrose Xaba who has broken her 10km PB three times this year and recently dipped 32 minutes for the first time, clocking 31:55.

Deep men’s field:
South Africa’s Precious Mashele is the fastest in the men’s line up with his 27:35 run at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on 2 April. Chasing him will be the likes of friend and rival, Stephen Mokoka who is looking for a sub 28 of his own on South African soil. Mokoka was the South African 10km Record Holder (27:38) up until Mashele took the crown on 2 April. Mashele’s training partner, Nicholas Seoposengwe is also eyeing a sub 28 after his recent win at the SA 5km Championships. Then there is the likes of Mbuleli Mathanga (28:03) who has twice knocked on the magical sub 28 door and missed it by the narrowest of margins. His next best time is 28:06 run in Gqeberha on 2 April. With the incredible incentives on offer, there is no doubt that a sub 28 minute onslaught is on the cards.

While it seems, the South African’s will be the dominant force come Sunday 9 July, they will not write off Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop Rutto and Great Britain’s Marc Scott. The latter is the Great Britain Record Holder over 5km (13:20 – Brawford, 2020) and won Bronze at the 2022 World Indoor Championships over 3000m. He boasts a good turn of speed. If there are any questions about his ability to go “long”, these are put to rest with his 28:03 PB for 10km run in 2021.

Last year’s 3rd place finisher, Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop Rutto is also back, and he too has the ability to make things very tough for the South Africans. Rutto clocked 27:55 in the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K for the third position and will be desperate to go better.

With thousands of runners lining the streets of Durban on Sunday 9 April, including some of the world’s best athletes, the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K promises to be history in the making.

“A strong lineup of the world’s best athletes will be seen going head-to-head with the crème of South African Road Running on Sunday,” says Michael Meyer Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “We are excited to see the elite race unfold with the prospect of the first 10km World Record in road running ever set on the African continent. What makes the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series extra special is the fact that social runners will also get the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elites over the fast flat course. We can’t wait to paint the streets of Durban red on Sunday with runners proudly wearing their stunning, red event t-shirts.”

EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

Date: Sunday 09 July 2023
Start Time: 08:00
Start Venue: Masabalala Yengwa Ave
Finish Venue: Durban Beach Front Promenade (Golden Mile)
Entry Fee:
• Licenced Runner: R240.00
• Temporary Licence: R50.00
Entry Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Entrant Gifts (Peak Cap, Drawstring Bag, Socks & Shoelaces)
• DHL Water Bottle
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Amazing Route Entertainment Points from Start to Finish
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal

PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series boasts an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1 560 000.00 in 2023. Each of the five events will be assigned R312 000.00 in prize money of which R252 000.00 will be allocated towards the Open Category (R126 000.00 going to Top 10 Open Men’s and R126 000.00 to Top 10 Open Women’s), and R60 000 towards Age Categories (Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69 and 70+ Age Categories). To view the prize purse breakdown please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/

CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K online runners and walkers can make a difference by supporting five local charities: 1. Reach For A Dream Foundation (RFAD), 2. Durban & Coast SPCA, 3. TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education), 4. LIV Village and 5. iThemba Lethu.

WIN A CHERY TIGGO 4 PRO URBAN VEHICLE: One lucky entrant will go home with a stylish Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Urban Vehicle valued at over R308 900.00 compliments of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and event partners Chery South Africa and Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. To be in the running to win this fantastic prize the following three boxes need to be ticked: you need to enter the event (and pay the entry fee), collect your race number (during the stipulated race pack collection times) and be on the start line on event day.

Facebook: @Durban10k
Instagram: @Durban10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com

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