ROAD RUNNING
Driving Off in Style
One of the highlights of each Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event is the pre-race draw for the winner of a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT vehicle valued from R279,000 . Five finalists are randomly drawn from the thousands of entrants , and invited to attend the live draw shortly before the race start . For this edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K , the lucky runner whose name was drawn was Sthebiso Mathebula .
Ecstatic winner of a new Chery , Sthebiso Mathebula
race , and the entire series , was such a success . Closing off the 2024 series on National Heritage Day was truly one for the books , and we look forward to even more exciting races in 2025 ,” he adds .
Start of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Another Record Falls
In the men ’ s race , Gideon Kipngetich proved too strong for the local contingent . Looking to improve on the second-place finish he achieved in his South African racing debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in August , the Kenyan took the lead just before halfway and then held off a spirited chase from SA ’ s Chris Mhlanga . Kipngetich ultimately secured a comfortable 28:51 victory , which is also a new course record , beating the 29:07 posted by Lesotho ’ s Namakoe Nkhasi last year .
“ It wasn ’ t easy ,” admits Kipngetich . “ My body took time to respond , because it was cold on the morning and there was a lot of wind . I tried my best because last month I was here to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K and I finished second , so I went back to Kenya and trained hard . I was well prepared for this race .”
Mhlanga followed Kipngetich home to earn his maiden Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish , while also making history by becoming the first man to claim five consecutive Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series top 10 finishes in a single calendar year – a
feat soon equalled by Elroy Gelant , who claimed fifth in this race . Finishing ahead of Gelant was his Boxer Athletics Club teammate Kabelo Mulaudzi , the 2022 winner of this race , who took third place in 29:16 in what was his third successive 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series podium finish .
Bigger & Better
With over 10,000 entries , the 2024 edition of the race was the biggest yet , to go with bigger , faster fields in the other four events in the Series in Gqeberha , Cape Town , Durban and Tshwane , and founder of the Series , Michael Meyer of Stillwater Sports , is understandably happy with the way things turned out . “ We couldn ’ t be prouder of today ’ s incredible performances , especially from our elite men ’ s and women ’ s winners , who truly lit up the streets of Joburg . A massive congratulations to Gideon Kipngetich and Glenrose Xaba and to the thousands of runners who joined us in making the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K a spectacular event .”
“ To our sponsors and partners , thank you for your unwavering support – it ’ s because of you that this
Title sponsor Absa is equally happy with the way the series has grown and excelled in 2024 . “ As we celebrate the finale of the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series , we salute the thousands of participants who took to the streets for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K ,” says Jabulile Nsibanyoni , Head of Sponsorships , Brand and Marketing at Absa . “ This race , a vibrant tapestry of our diverse cultures and shared histories , showcased the spirit of South Africa as participants from every corner united in celebration . Each step taken and every story shared has woven a stronger bond among us , reflecting resilience , community , and our rich heritage .”
Jozi Results
These are the top 10 men ’ s and women ’ s results from the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on 24 September 2024 .
TOP 10 MEN 1 Gideon Kipngetich ( Kenya ) 28:51 2 Chris Mhlanga ( Boxer ) 29:13
3 Kabelo Mulaudzi ( Boxer ) 29:16 4 Namakoe Nkhasi ( Nedbank / Lesotho ) 29:35 5 Elroy Gelant ( Boxer ) 29:46 6 Simon Sibeko ( Maxed Elite ) 29:59 7 Tumelo Motlagale ( Boxer ) 30:04 8 Precious Mashele ( Boxer ) 30:16
Images : Tobias Ginsberg , Felix Dlanga , Charles Ndou , Anton Opperman
The PUMA Forever Faster 100 Sprint Zone was just one of the fun vibe points lining the route
9 |
Wellington Varevi ( Nedbank / Zimbabwe ) |
30:19 |
10 |
Edward Mothibi ( Nedbank ) |
30:22 |
TOP 10 WOMEN |
1 |
Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) |
31:55 |
2 |
Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed Elite / Lesotho ) |
34:03 |
3 |
Karabo Maluila ( Tuks ) |
34:14 |
4 |
Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) |
34:34 |
5 |
Karabo More ( Masai ) |
34:49 |
6 |
Millicent Nyaberi ( Kenya ) |
35:06 |
7 |
Karabo Motsoeneng ( TUT ) |
35:52 |
8 |
Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) |
36:02 |
9 |
Malineo Mahloko ( Maxed Elite / Lesotho ) |
36:38 |
10 |
Galaletsang Mekgoe ( Nedbank ) |
36:41 |
31