A force to be reckoned with in the 1990s and early to mid-2000s, Enoch Skosana represented South Africa an impressive ten times. Now the ASA Road Running Chairman has set his sights on encouraging more people to participate in the sport of road running, by signing up for all five of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events in 2023.
Skosana got his campaign off to a great start with a 54:55 finish at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K that debuted in ‘The Friendly City’ on Sunday 02 April 2023.
“I loved running with the masses at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K,” says Skosana. “We ran as a group led by bus driver (aka pace setter), Ras Jabulani Dube, who set the perfect pace and persistently encouraged us through the race. Close to the finish line we took a small breather. Although many runners passed us, we managed to catch up with them, crossing the finish line ahead of them. I mention this occurrence to emphasize the importance of working together as a team. Being in a team was the best experience for me, it brought people from different walks of life together and motivated us to rely on one another to get to the finish.”
Skosana goes on to say that events like the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series are not only great opportunities to exercise, but they also provide many other benefits including improved health and emotional states to mention just a few.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series helps to identify elite athletes in the five cities,” continues Skosana. “The Series gives athletes the opportunity to experience and be challenged by the different climates of the five cities, while allowing them to improve their performances. The 10km also builds speed, while granting elites the opportunity to earn some money. These athletes are also able to earn points that contribute to World Athletics and create opportunities for recognition. On the social runner side, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series brings companionship to five iconic cities. It encourages teamwork which makes progress easier and allows groups of people to overcome obstacles. The 10km is an achievable distance for social runners and does not require immense preparation or time.”
In closing Skosana adds, “The message that I would like to give to the road running community is that they should continue to participate in road running events. Work together, but run your own race, reach for your personal goals, enjoy the company of all the other runners and encourage your family and friends to join in on the fun. I would like to thank the road running community for their involvement in the sport that we love. I had a fantastic time getting to know so many runners at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and I cannot wait to do the same in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane and Joburg. I invite all runners (elite and social) to join me.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
| 1. Sunday 02 April 2023 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K |
| 2. Sunday 14 May 2023 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K |
| 3. Sunday 09 July 2023 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K |
| 4. Sunday 27 August 2023 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K |
| 5. Sunday 24 September 2023 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K |
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
About Absa
Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States.
For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa
About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been revolutionizing the sport since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises five unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (launched in 2023), Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K (launched in 2017), Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (launched in 2023) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).
A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants.
For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
