While reflecting on his Olympic performance, Elroy Gelant highlighted the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series as a crucial factor in his remarkable showing at the Games. Competing in his third Olympics in Paris, the 37-year-old clocked an impressive 2:09:07 on Saturday, 10 August, securing a celebrated 11th place finish—the best by a South African man since Josiah Thugwane’s gold medal victory at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
“I’m really satisfied with my race. I’m very happy with my performance. The course was brutal in terms of the hills,” said Gelant. “The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series assisted me a lot in terms of leg speed. I was relaxed during the first few kilometres during the first half of the race because of the leg speed I obtained during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which formed part of my whole Olympic structure.”
The Boxer Athletic Club top runner has dominated the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series taking second place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in April, second again at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in May in a maiden sub-28-minute finish (27:54) and victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in a lifetime best 27:47.
Feeling no ill-effects from the third sub 2:10 marathon clocking of 2024, Gelant is committed to lining up in the series once again at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 25 August where he took fourth position during last year’s inaugural event.
“I’m good. I’m niggle free and I’m looking forward to the rest of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” confirms Gelant. “I’m doing some easy jogging for now. Maybe the first one (Absa RYC TSHWANE 10K) I can start by finding my rhythm again and then go full force in the last one (Absa RYC JOBURG 10K) on 24 September. I’m happy with my buildup.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Elroy Gelant back to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K after his incredible performance representing South Africa in the Marathon at the Olympics,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Watching Elroy compete on the world stage was truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege to have him line up with us in Tshwane. Elroy is a true legend of the sport and has done so much for South African athletics. His participation not only elevates the competition but also inspires the next generation of runners. We can’t wait to see him in action again!”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
COMPLETED / Sunday 07 April 2024 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 28:01 Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:15 |
COMPLETED / Sunday 12 May 2024 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K Men’s Winner: Vincent Kibet Langat (Kenya) 27:52 Women’s Winner: Diana Chepkorir (Kenya) 31:47 |
COMPLETED / Sunday 07 July 2024 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K Men’s Winner: Elroy Gelant (South Africa) 0:27:47 Women’s Winner: Christine Njoki (Kenya) 0:30:37 |
Sunday 25 August 2024 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K |
Start & Finish: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Pretoria | |
Start Time: 08:00 | |
Entry Fee: Licensed Runners: R 245.00 Temp Licence: R60.00 Standard Entry Includes: Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt Absa Drawstring Bag Absa Peak Cap Absa Socks Race Number with Timing Chip Amazing Sponsor Route Entertainment Points Lively Route Entertainment Points 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service Pre and Post Event Entertainment Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K Finisher’s Medal | |
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K |
EXCITING NEWS: In 2024, each of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series events will showcase unique, city-specific medals, adding a personalized touch to the participant experience reflective of the host city’s essence and character.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has welcomed the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events in 2024. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
WIN A CAR: All entrants of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K will have the exciting chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Vehicle valued from R279 000. To qualify for a chance to win this incredible prize, runners need to complete three simple steps: first, register for the event and pay the entry fee; second, collect your race number during the designated race pack collection times; and finally, ensure you’re on the start line on event day. The winner will be announced before the start of the race.
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/