The Race
“ Our sponsors share our excitement when it comes to on route entertainment ,” continues Meyer . “ Lively sponsor activations to look out for will include : the Absa High 5 Zone , PUMA Forever Faster 100 , DHL Mile , CHERY Cheer Zone , and Woolies Dash to mention just a few . Additional activations from renowned brands such as Coca-Cola , Avalanche Bicycles and Garmin will also be included . Participants will be treated to lively performances from some of Tshwane ’ s leading performing arts groups whilst taking in sightings of several of Tshwane ’ s iconic landmarks including the Union Buildings , South African State Theatre , Absa Towers , Church Square , Palace of Justice Building , Pretoria High Court , Pretoria Art Museum , Loftus Stadium and the SA Heavy Artillery Memorial to mention just a few .”
“ We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to both the City of Tshwane and Athletics Gauteng North ( AGN ) for their invaluable support in making this event a reality . Their unwavering commitment , collaboration , and shared vision have been instrumental in bringing this exciting road run to Tshwane . Furthermore , the city ’ s exceptional infrastructure , cultural heritage and warm hospitality provide the perfect backdrop for participants to embark on a memorable journey , while AGN ’ s dedication to promoting athletics and fostering a thriving running community has been truly inspiring ,” says Meyer .
Enthusiastic Sponsor
Title sponsor Absa is equally excited about the new event , and the growth of the Series in Gauteng , says Absa Regional Segment Head , Premium , Jolene Grobler . “ We received a lot of interest from Absa colleagues , customers and community members when we hosted the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in Gauteng last year . The extension of the series to two more cities , including Tshwane , came at the right time , as we want to ensure that this series is accessible to all . Our biggest goal has always been to grow this platform and encourage more people to have an active lifestyle , while we get closer to our colleagues , customers , and most importantly , the communities in which we operate , and we are excited to activate in Tshwane .”
Grobler adds that runners can also make a difference by signing up to Absa ’ s initiative on Strava and running or walking for a great cause . “ Through the Absa Force for Good initiative , we will be able to change lives in this beautiful city . For every 1km run or walked by Team Absa Walk Run members on Strava , Absa will donate R1 towards a worthy cause in the community of Tshwane . So , we look forward to welcoming thousands of participants on 27 August to create a meaningful impact in a fun way .”
Unforgettable Experience
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K will highlight the city ’ s splendour , treating runners and walkers to an unrivalled route atmosphere that has become synonymous with the Series . “ Our aim is to create an unforgettable experience that transcends traditional road runs , inspiring a passion for athletics and sparking a culture of health and well-being ,” continues Meyer . “ With its scenic routes and inclusive atmosphere , the race will not only showcase the beauty of its host city , but also provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level . We are confident that this event will have a lasting impact on athletics in the region , attracting participants from all backgrounds , while encouraging a lifelong love for running . So , if you ’ re running with us this year , it ’ s time to # RunYourCity !”
IMPRESSIVE PRIZE PURSE
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series boasts a massive combined prize purse of R1,560,000 in 2023 . Each of the five events has been assigned R312,000 in prize money , of which R252,000 will be allocated to the Open Category , and a further R60,000 will be up for grabs by the top runners in the various age categories . All prize monies will be equally split between men and women , and the full breakdown of the allocations appears below . Fireworks can therefore be expected at the front end of the field , as the event has attracted a fantastic line-up of elite athletes , including South Africa ’ s 10km record-holder Precious Mashele – you can read more about the elite race on page 14 .
The 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
8 Run Your City Series