The excitement intensifies as Stillwater Sports, the organiser of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series unveils an impressive women’s field that will lineup at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 9 July 2023.
Alongside the thrilling prospect of Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the current women’s World Record holder in the 10km mixed race with an impressive time of 29:14, challenging the women-only 10km World Record of 30:01, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K will boast an exceptionally strong elite women’s field with the inclusion of South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba, the 3rd fastest ever South African over 10km, Kenya’s Edith Jepchumba, as well as Uganda’s Stella Chesang and Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala.
Glenrose Xaba, who has already shattered her 10km personal best three times this year, earned her place among the illustrious sub-32-minute club with a remarkable time of 31:55 ran this past weekend.
Xaba ran 32:25 at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQBERHA 10K on 2 April. In May she went 32:12 and now joins the elite sub-32-minute club by clocking 31:55. That makes her the 3rd fastest ever South African over 10km behind Elana Meyer (31:13) and Colleen de Reuck (31:29).
The result has been coming and leaves Xaba in a very confident mood. “I knew the time was going to come. I am in great shape this year with two PB’s in the 10km (before the 31:55) and a Half Marathon PB before this last 10km race. I knew I had it in me,” said Xaba. “I feel I am getting ever closer to the Ethiopians and am very confident.”
Xaba’s 31:55 makes her time the 17th fastest time on SA soil along with Kenya’s Diana Chesang who ran that time at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in 2022, finishing second 2nd.
Another familiar face is that of Uganda’s Stella Chesang who also returns to the series on 9 July. Chesang clocked 30:40 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in 2022, to date the fastest time run on SA soil. A former winner in Durban (Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in 2018 with a time of 31:14), Chesang will know the route well and use that knowledge to her advantage.
Kenya’s Edith Jepchumba joins the impressive Durban line-up. Boasting a 15:42 time in the 5km, the Kenyan will be a dangerous contender come 9 July. Throw in Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala, who is improving with every race she runs, and you have all the ingredients for spectacular racing.
“We are excited about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 9 July,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “The Elite Women’s Race is guaranteed to steal the show this year. Not only could we see the first ever 10km world record set on SA soil, but with this line up we know that we could see the deepest and fastest women’s 10km road race in South Africa. It is truly satisfying to witness how the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is elevating South African road running to international acclaim.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
| Date: | Sunday 09 July 2023 |
| Start Time: | 08:00 |
| Start Venue: | Masabalala Yengwa Ave |
| Finish Venue: | Durban Beach Front Promenade (Golden Mile) |
| Entry Fee: | · Licenced Runner: R240.00 · Temporary Licence: R50.00 |
| Entry Includes: | · Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt · Absa Entrant Gifts (Peak Cap, Drawstring Bag, Socks & Shoelaces) · DHL Water Bottle · Race Number with Timing Chip · Sponsor Route Entertainment Points · Amazing Route Entertainment Points from Start to Finish · 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route · Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service · Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal |
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series boasts an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1 560 000.00 in 2023. Each of the five events will be assigned R312 000.00 in prize money of which R252 000.00 will be allocated towards the Open Category (R126 000.00 going to Top 10 Open Men’s and R126 000.00 to Top 10 Open Women’s), and R60 000 towards Age Categories (Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69 and 70+ Age Categories). To view the prize purse breakdown please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K online runners and walkers can make a difference by supporting five local charities: 1. Reach For A Dream Foundation (RFAD), 2. Durban & Coast SPCA, 3. TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education), 4. LIV Village and 5. iThemba Lethu.
WIN A CHERY TIGGO 4 PRO URBAN VEHICLE: One lucky entrant will go home with a stylish Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Urban Vehicle valued at over R308 900.00 compliments of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and event partners Chery South Africa and Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. To be in the running to win this fantastic prize the following three boxes need to be ticked: you need to enter the event (and pay the entry fee), collect your race number (during the stipulated race pack collection times) and be on the start line on event day.
Facebook: @Durban10k
Instagram: @Durban10k
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/
