Taking place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K is set to showcase Mangaung’s rich history, iconic landmarks and vibrant city streets.

The newest addition to South Africa’s premier city road-running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K will bring thousands of runners and walkers together for a 10km celebration of movement, community and the city of Mangaung.

Starting at Grey College, the route immediately places participants in the heart of one of Bloemfontein’s most established areas before heading onto Sir George Grey Street and turning left into Parfitt Avenue. From there, runners will navigate Kellner Street, Aliwal Street and 1st Avenue before continuing through Brompton Road, Bree Street, Levy Street and Loop Street.

The route then heads towards Alexandra Avenue and Hanger Street before joining Nelson Mandela Drive, offering participants the opportunity to experience the city from a unique perspective as they make their way towards the historic city centre.

Among the highlights along the route are some of Mangaung’s most significant cultural and heritage landmarks, including the Mangaung City Hall, Supreme Court of Appeal, National Afrikaans Literary Museum, Hertzog Park (Love Park), Fourth Raadsaal, Hofmann Square, Queens Fort Military Museum, President Brand Cemetery and the Old Presidency Museum.

Together, these sites reflect different periods in the city’s evolution, from its early military and administrative roots to its emergence as an important judicial, political and cultural centre. The route therefore offers participants more than a tour of Mangaung’s streets; it provides a moving journey through a city whose strategic position has placed it at the crossroads of South African history and now the proud host of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. 

From Nelson Mandela Drive, runners will turn left into President Brand Street before continuing through Charlotte Maxeke Street, Oos Burger Street and St Andrew Street. The final section takes participants along Oliver Tambo Road and President Avenue before returning onto President Brand Street and St Andrew Street.

The race will culminate on Kings Way outside Kings Park Stadium, where runners will cross the finish line and celebrate completing the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K.

According to Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, the Mangaung route has been designed to capture the essence of the city while delivering the high-energy race experience that participants have come to expect from the Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series.

“The inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K is about more than running 10 kilometres – it is about experiencing Mangaung. This route takes participants through established neighbourhoods, into the heart of the city and past landmarks that reflect the rich history and heritage of Bloemfontein. We are incredibly excited to bring the Absa RUN YOUR CITY experience to Mangaung for the first time and look forward to seeing thousands of runners and walkers take to the streets on 25 October. It promises to be a spectacular celebration of the city, its people and the power of running to bring communities together.”

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series 

Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k / @Mangaung 10K

Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k / @Mangaung 10K

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 now comprises six 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), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K (launched in 2026). 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/