Seen here (from left to right): At an official sponsor function that was held at Nederburg Wines earlier in December, Dezroy Poole (Director of Stillwater Sports) and Bronwin Langeveldt (Head Health, Safety & Wellbeing Heineken Beverages). PHOTO CREDIT: Ray van Breda

One of South Africa’s most celebrated running series is set to become even bigger, bolder, and more refreshing. Stillwater Sports, organisers of the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, are excited to announce a major new partnership with HEINEKEN Beverages. Starting in 2026, HEINEKEN Beverages will join the Series as an Official Headline Sponsor in an exciting three-year collaboration.

“This is a truly special moment for the Series,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Welcoming HEINEKEN Beverages on board as a national sponsor elevates the energy and experience of every race. Both brands share a passion for health, wellness, and connection, and this partnership will bring all of that to life in a big way across all five cities.”

Meyer adds that the partnership further enhances the Series’ reputation for creating memorable experiences that unite runners, families, and communities across South Africa. “Runners and their families, friends, and colleagues will be able to celebrate their 10km achievements together, making each city’s event even more meaningful and rewarding.”

HEINEKEN Beverages expressed equal enthusiasm about joining the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, underscoring the partnership’s alignment with the company’s internal wellness initiatives and culture of togetherness.

“We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series – a world-class event that we truly admire,” says Kavir Gangiah, Head of Consumer Experience (CX) and Sponsorship at HEINEKEN Beverages. “At HEINEKEN Beverages, we believe that health and wellness begin with our people. This partnership gives us the perfect platform to motivate our teams to get active together. The Series promotes fitness, well-being, and teamwork, while encouraging a little friendly competition among colleagues. We’re proud to be part of such a high-quality, well-organised series and can’t wait to celebrate achievements, enjoy the race-day energy, and share unforgettable moments with our teams across all five cities in 2026.”

Established in 2023 following the merger of HEINEKEN South Africa, Distell, and Namibia Breweries Limited, HEINEKEN Beverages combines an impressive portfolio of iconic brands. These include HEINEKEN, one of the world’s leading beer brands, and Distell, a long-standing household name in the South African beverage industry. Though a new entity, HEINEKEN Beverages is built on a powerful foundation of legacy, innovation, and brand excellence – a combination that makes this partnership with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series both strategic and meaningful.

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series

Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k

Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k

Hashtag:  #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity

WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613

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/