Chemutai leads Women’s Field as Chelimo targets breakthrough in Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

After securing third place on her Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series debut in Tshwane in August, Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai will be looking to build on that performance at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day, Thursday, 24 September 2026. Meanwhile, Dolphine Chelimo will line up in a highly competitive men’s field, making his first appearance on South African soil.

Chemutai has already made her mark on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, clocking a lifetime best 31:59 to finish third behind Glenrose Xaba and Doreen Cherop at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August. Having run the fastest 10km of her career on a hilly, high-altitude course in Tshwane, Chemutai arrives in Joburg as the only sub-32-minute athlete in the women’s field, making her a strong contender for a maiden Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory.

“I was happy to obtain third position in my first ever Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race. The course was very hard, but I still managed to run my PB because I worked hard in training and the body responded well on the day,” Chemutai shares. “I am grateful for all the support and am looking forward to more success through my hard work.”

In the men’s race, Uganda’s Dolphine Chelimo will target a podium finish on his Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series debut.

“I decided to take part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K to challenge myself physically and be part of an event that promotes personal achievement,” Chelimo explained when asked about his South African debut.

Having produced a number of breakout performances this year, including an impressive seventh place finish at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida in January, the 21 year old is enjoying the season of his life. Armed with a brand new 5000m personal best of 13:13.72 set when he took third place at the prestigious FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands in June, Chelimo says his excellent 2026 form is reward for his hard work.

“Patience and confidence is key,” he says. “Improvement in 5000m usually comes from consistency in training, building strength over time and believing that the results will show when the body is ready.”

It’s a philosophy that Chelimo will lean on heavily when he lines up against the likes of Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K defending champion Kbelo Mulaudzi, SA cross country champion Zenzile Pheko, SA 10km champion Chris Mhlanga and 2025 SA Marathon champion Bennet Seloyi on 24 September. Chelimo is ready to impress during his first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race.

“My target is simply to make sure that I finish strong which means that I want to see myself on the podium.”

Chemutai’s impressive Series debut and Chelimo’s highly anticipated South African debut add further depth to an already competitive Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K field, says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder:

“Deborah made an immediate impression on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in Tshwane, running a new personal best of 31:59 on a challenging course, and we’re excited to see what she can produce in Joburg. Her confidence will be high, but she’ll face another strong women’s field that will push her all the way. On the men’s side, Dolphine Chelimo adds another exciting dimension to what is already a highly competitive field. Making his South African debut against athletes of the calibre of Kabelo Mulaudzi, Zenzile Pheko, Chris Mhlanga and Bennet Seloyi will be a fantastic test for him. With National Heritage Day adding to the occasion, we’re expecting another memorable day of world-class racing in the heart of Johannesburg.”

EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series  

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