Kavanagh keeps expectations in check ahead of Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K despite stellar 2026 form

After producing personal bests over 3000m, 5000m and 10km during just the last three weeks, Tayla Kavanagh is in the form of her life and poised to deliver yet another world-class performance at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

“I’m looking forward to taking part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” says the Hollywood Athletics Club top runner. “I ran it last year and thoroughly enjoyed the route and the competition. With this being my second 10km race of the season, I’m looking forward to putting together a strong run.”

The reigning KwaZulu-Natal Athletics 5000m champion was speaking after clocking a lifetime best 8:46.86 in a dominant solo run to win the 3000m event at the Cape Milers World Athletics Challenger Tour Meet at Höerskool Stellenbosch on Friday 10 April. Kavanagh, who produced the fastest 10km run of her life (31:33) to triumph over the mercurial Glenrose Xaba in her season opener at the Cape Town Leg of the SPAR Grand Prix two weeks earlier, says her decision to focus more on the track this season is paying dividends.

“It was a good decision,” said the self-coached 24-year-old. “As someone without a track background, it is so good to add track to the mix this year. I think it’s assisting me to be faster on the road. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the track season, but the road is where my full passion lies. I’m looking forward to being back on the road and seeing what we can do in the 10km distances.”

It means that all eyes will be on Kavanagh when she lines up in The Mother City on Mother’s Day, especially given her history with the oldest race in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. Asked to pinpoint the start of the upward curve that has led to her current purple patch, after struggling with injury during 2023 and 2024, Kavanagh identified her fifth place finish (33:01) at the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K, as the turning point.

“I feel that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K last year, is where I started to pick up my form again. That means it’s kind of a special race for me. I don’t have too many expectations. I’ve just been enjoying the process and enjoying the process of running. That’s actually when I perform at my best – when I just go out there and put my whole heart into it and enjoy what I’m doing.”

“Tayla has been nothing short of exceptional over the past few weeks, and her recent string of personal bests across multiple distances is a clear indication that she’s in outstanding form,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “It’s incredibly exciting to see an athlete building such momentum heading into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. She’s shown great versatility between track and road, and if her current trajectory is anything to go by, we can expect a truly special performance in Cape Town.”

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series  

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