ADVERTORIAL
Chasing Records
Equally happy about the incentives is Tayla Kavanagh . “ The SA athlete incentives serve as a powerful motivator for us athletes , encouraging us to push our limits and compete at an international level ,” she explains . “ They inspire me to aim for faster times , and provide a rewarding recognition for achieving my goals . Breaking the SA Record would be a dream come true for me , as it has remained unbroken for many years . Being the one to finally break this longstanding record would be an incredible achievement .”
Kabelo Mulaudzi shares their sentiments that the incentives are a great motivator . “ It ’ s great that the Incentive Schedule is open to all SA Athletes , so the faster you run , the more rewards you receive ,” he says . “ Qualifying for the incentives would mean a lot to me , because a financial boost always brings stability . The funds would help me prepare for races and support my family . Achieving the SA Record would be a bonus for me .”
MEN ’ S TIMES Sub-28:00 R60,000 Sub-27:40 R80,000 Sub-27:20 R100,000 Sub-27:10 R120,000 Sub-27:00 R200,000
WOMEN ’ S TIMES Sub-32:08 R60,000 Sub-31:33 R80,000 Sub-30:59 R100,000 Sub-30:41 R120,000 Sub-30:23 R200,000
To further elevate the excitement , an additional R50,000 is on the table for any South African athlete who breaks the current SA 10km records for either men or women . The times to beat are : Men : 27:35 – Precious Mashele ( Gqeberha , 2023 ) Women : 31:13 – Elana Meyer ( Budapest , 2001 )
“ The standard of South African running rises each year at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series ,” says Meyer . " Our goal is to continue this trend by rewarding outstanding performances at each of our five races in 2024 , ultimately elevating the competitiveness of South African middle-distance running . We believe that these incentives will inspire even faster times on South African soil , with the potential for a sub-27- minute 10km in the men ’ s race and even a sub-32:08 10km in the women ’ s race .”
“ Our objective is to enable South Africa ' s elite athletes to make a living without needing to go abroad . We are confident that this incentive will attract considerable attention from South Africa ' s top athletes , and we are excited to see them showcase their talent at all five of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events in 2024 ,” adds Meyer .
Welcome Incentives
The news about the incentive scheme counting for all five races this year has been welcomed by the top South African athletes . “ These incentives definitely motivate local athletes to push harder and improve performances , and acts as a reward for our hard work and dedication ,” confirms Elroy Gelant . “ It also attracts experienced athletes to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races , resulting in more exciting and competitive 10km races .
“ I find that the bonus incentives serve as a great motivation for me to push myself and achieve my best possible time during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races . I believe that these incentives can help all athletes perform better and reach their full potential , ultimately leading to improved overall performances in the race . Running fast times can lead to additional financial rewards , such as cash bonuses that can be used to cover training expenses .”
Gelant adds : “ Breaking the South African 10km record would be a significant personal achievement for me . It would represent a validation of all the hard work and training that I , along with my coach , family , training mates , friends , and Boxer Athletics Club have dedicated over the years . Achieving this milestone would be a major boost to my career , and could propel me towards even greater success , especially with the 2024 Olympics coming up .”
CHERY VEHICLES UP FOR GRABS
Entrants of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events stand a chance to win a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT vehicle worth R279,000 at each of the five races in 2024 .
One of the highlights of each Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event is the pre-race draw to see who will drive off with a brand new Chery vehicle , courtesy of Chery South Africa , the official vehicle partner of the series . “ We are thrilled to announce that every participant in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY events will have the exciting opportunity to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle ,” says Meyer .
“ These vehicles are truly impressive , combining style , performance , and innovation . We are immensely proud to be associated with the Chery brand , and grateful for their support in making this possible . The giveaway adds an extra element of excitement to the event and underscores our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our participants ,” he adds .
Speaking on behalf of Chery South Africa , Executive Deputy GM Tony Liu says , “ We are excited to continue our partnership with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2024 and can ’ t wait to give away our first vehicle at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K . The series provides us with the exciting opportunity to showcase our exceptional vehicles , while contributing to the memorable experience of each event . We look forward to welcoming the lucky winners into the Chery family , and can ’ t wait to share the joy of driving a Chery vehicle .”
To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize , runners need to complete three simple steps : ( 1 ) Register for the event and pay the entry fee ; ( 2 ) collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times ; and ( 3 ) ensure you ' re at the start line on event day .
MODERN ATHLETE IS A MEDIA PARTNER OF THE ABSA RUN YOUR CITY SERIES . FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2024 SERIES , GO TO HTTPS :// RUNYOURCITYSERIES . COM
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