FOREWORD
Messages ofWelcome
From the
Welcome to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY series 2024 ! Under the vibrant banner of Running is my story , we invite all South Africans to lace up their shoes and join us for a journey of sweat , determination and camaraderie . At Absa , we believe that every individual has a unique story to tell , and what better way to share it than through the rhythm of your own footsteps pounding the pavement ?
Our brand and business positioning , Your
Title Sponsor … story matters , resonates deeply with the ethos of this event . Whether you ’ re a seasoned marathoner , a casual jogger or an enthusiastic spectator cheering from the side , your story is an integral part of the tapestry of our community , and we want to hear it loud and clear .
As we embark on this exhilarating adventure , we remain steadfast in our mission to drive positive change and uplift communities across South Africa . Our R1 campaign exemplifies our commitment to making a tangible difference . For every kilometre run or walked by a Team Absa member on Strava , we pledge to donate R1 , reinforcing our dedication to creating a lasting impact in the areas that need it most .
Whether you ’ re striving for a personal best , soaking in the atmosphere , or simply enjoying the thrill of the run , there ’ s a place for you in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series . So , lace up your shoes , embrace the challenge and prepare to make unforgettable memories as we come together to celebrate your victories at the finish line .
Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele
Absa ’ s Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer
From the Race Founder …
Welcome to the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Cape Town 10k ! The 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series kicked off on 7 April with over 4000 runners lining up in the Gqeberha leg . Now it ’ s your turn , Cape Town , and we can ’ t wait to see over 12,000 runners line up at Woodbridge Island on Sunday morning ! Thank you to each and every runner for supporting this event , which has become a movement encouraging people to be active and lead a heathy lifestyle .
We also welcome some of the fastest athletes in the world to the fast and flat Cape Town course , but it is not just about fast times ... For most of us , it ’ s about fun , camaraderie , dressing up , and getting your friends and family to join you for the most fun you can have whilst getting some exercise .
As usual , we thank our anchor sponsors , Absa , Puma , Chery , Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages and Castle Lite , and a special word of thanks to the City of Cape Town for hosting the event . We encourage all our participants to support the brands and businesses that support your love of running .
We look forward to creating world class , unique and invigorating running experiences for thousands of runners across South Africa , for many years to come . Finally , we wish every runner a safe , rewarding and exhilarating experience !
Michael Meyer
Managing Director of Stillwater Sports
From the Host
From the Host Province …
Western Province Athletics ( WPA ) welcomes all the local , national and international athletes who will be competing in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K . This is arguably one of the most supported runs to be hosted in the Mother City , and to everyone who entered the race – elite , serious or mass participant athletes – may you achieve your personal best .
On behalf of WPA and the Board , I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the participating athletes the very best . Your participation in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series brings happiness to many , including the charities that benefit from your participation . To our partners , the City of Cape Town , title sponsor Absa and all other partners who play a role in hosting this event , we say thank you for your contribution to athletics .
Farouk Meyer
President of Western Province Athletics
I
’ m absolutely delighted to welcome all the runners in the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K to Cape Town for what has become one of our city ’ s most popular and vibrant road running events . With its flat and fast route , bypassing some of our most iconic landmarks – and with the ever-present Table Mountain keeping an eye on proceedings – it ’ s not hard to see why so many runners add this event to their bucket list .
Now add our wonderful supporters
City … along the way , as well as all the music groups and other performers along the route that have become synonymous with the race , and you have one of the most unique road-running events in the country . It ’ s also a race that does a lot of good work through fundraising for charities , and I can think of no more deserving recipient than the official charity of the Run Your City series , the Cancer Association of South Africa .
Thank you to the organisers for putting together such a special and well-managed event , and also to Absa for its continued sponsorship of this series . Over the past decade , this has become one of our best-attended running events , and I have no doubt that the 2024 instalment will not disappoint .
To everyone participating , I hope you have a most enjoyable and safe race . And if you ’ re a visitor to our city , I wish you a wonderful stay , and we hope to see you back again for next year ’ s race .
Geordin Hill-Lewis
Cape Town Mayor
4 Run Your City Series