Although she admits that 2026 has not been her best season, defending champion Karabo Mailula cannot help but feel hopeful as she recalls the biggest 10km victory of her career, a moment she hopes to relive when she defends her title at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
“Winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K meant a lot,” she said, reflecting on the 33:44 she ran to win the race ahead of Kenya’s Florence Nyaingiri on Heritage Day last year. “I was so popular and received congratulations from so many people – some of whom I didn’t even know. I felt like a celebrity. I really enjoyed the race.”
Yet, the Boxer Athletics Club ace is cautious ahead of the 2026 edition of the hilly race, which is run along Johannesburg’s M1 and M2 highways. Even after clocking 33:01 to grab third place at the competitive Hollywoodbets Durban 10km on Sunday, 30 August, Mailula remains circumspect, explaining that a niggling injury is weighing on her mind.
“My aim here [at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km] was just to finish the race and run under 33:10, so I achieved my goal. But I’m honestly not sure about my fitness level at the moment. I’ve been resting because of my knee injury. I’m still in the process of recovery, so I’m not perfect.”
The 24-year-old University of Pretoria Honours graduate is hoping that what she may lack in physical conditioning, she can make up for mentally by drawing on her deep well of positive Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series memories to carry her on race day.
“I really enjoy the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. It’s an inspiring event and everyone wants to be there – especially in Joburg, where there is a lot of support. I remember finishing in eighth position at the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, which was the first time I managed to place in the top ten in a big race. Since then, I’ve just stuck there to make sure I’m always in the top ten, even if I’m not on the podium.”
Reflecting on Mailula’s journey with the Series and her return to Joburg as defending champion, Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder says:
“Karabo has built a strong connection with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, and her victory in Joburg last year was a particularly special moment in her journey. To have the defending champion back on the start line on Heritage Day adds another exciting dimension to what promises to be a highly competitive race. Karabo knows what it takes to win in Joburg, and we’re looking forward to seeing her take on the challenge of defending her title in front of the incredible Joburg crowd.”
EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
| Sunday 01 March 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K Elite Men’s Winner: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:47 Elite Women’s Winner: Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 30:15 |
| Sunday 10 May 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST |
| Sunday 12 July 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K Elite Men’s Winner: Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) 27:19 Elite Women’s Winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 30:43 |
| Sunday 23 August 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K Elite Men’s Winner: Salem Kibet (Kenya) 28:45 Elite Women’s Winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 31:35 |
| Thursday 24 September 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K / SOLD OUT Start Time: 08:00 Start Line: Lilian Ngoyi Street Finish Venue: Rahima Moosa Street |
| Sunday 25 October 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K Start Time: 07:00 Start Venue: Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College Finish Venue: Kings Way (Bloemfontein) Entry Fee: R 255 (Licensed Runner) Temp License Fee: R70 Entries Close: Thursday 08 October 2026or once capacity has been reached |
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/