In the wake of the landmark announcement that Stillwater Sports, the Event and Experience Specialists behind the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, have secured Ugandan distance running superstar Joshua Cheptegei for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 12 July 2026, anticipation continues to build as a world-class field of elite men and women prepare to chase history on what promises to be the greatest 10km on African soil.
Headlining the men’s field with a personal best 26:38, all eyes will be on double Olympic champion Cheptegei who could become the first man on earth to break the 27 minute barrier in the 10km on African soil. Though modest in his outlook, the reigning 5000m and 10 000m World Record holder believes anything is possible.
“South Africa is actually a very good place for me to run, especially because I’ll be racing on African soil. It’s a beautiful feeling,” says Cheptegei, who set the South African All-Comers Record of 27:16 when he competed in the 2018 RUN YOUR CITY Series. “At the moment, my focus is to run a good race and enjoy the city and the people of Durban. It would be an honour for the record to be broken on African soil. I think that would be great for African athletics.”
Yet even as history beckons, the swarm of global media attention will not be on Cheptegei alone as a more than capable men’s elite field relishes in the opportunity of toeing the line against one of the greatest middle and long distance runners of all time.
Most notably, the Kenyan duo of Felix Masai who won the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD in April and is a 27:24 athlete at his best, along with Gilbert Kiprotich are expected to provide a stern test for Cheptegei. Kiprotich in particular clocked a breathtaking 27:01 10km split on the way to a 58:59 podium finish at the Lisbon Half Marathon in early March. That performance, coupled with his 27:19.35 10 000m personal best has him bubbling over with self-belief that he too can run a 26 minute 10km.
“I believe I am capable of running comfortably under 27:00 in Durban. We are hoping for favourable weather conditions and strong pacing on race day. I feel inspired by the opportunity to race against Joshua Cheptegei. He is a world-class athlete, and competing alongside him will provide valuable experience and contribute significantly to my development as a professional athlete,” says Kiprotich.
The women’s race promises to be just as historic as the second fastest athlete of 2026 (29:25) and the joint fourth fastest of all-time Brenda Jepchirchir goes head to head with 3000m steeplechase World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoech. Despite winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K comfortably in 30:15, windy conditions scuppered Jepchirchir’s plans to become the first woman to run a sub 30 minute 10km on African soil on 1 March. The Kenyan returns to South Africa with a score to settle.
“My experience in Gqeberha was wonderful. It was my first time racing in South Africa, and I was very excited to compete there. The conditions were challenging due to the strong wind, but I still felt there was more to give. If the conditions are favourable and the race unfolds well, I would love to run under 30 minutes. It would be a significant milestone in my career, and I believe it is possible,” says Jepchirchir.
Now 34 years old and with over a decade of world class experience under her belt, Beatrice Chepkoech, who is the holder of an impressive 30:56 10km lifetime best, recognises the magnitude of the moment that lies ahead. While the 2019 World Champion aims to use the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K as an important step on the road to peak fitness after recently giving birth, she is excited to line up on the start line of the greatest 10km race on African soil.
“This is what every athlete dreams of: building a legacy that will endure in the world of athletics. I’m happy to be part of history. My intention is to run a great race and, together, put on a spectacular show,” says Chepkoech.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Series Founder, Michael Meyer believes the stage is set for one of the most memorable days in African road running history.
“The calibre of athletes that we’ve assembled for the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is simply extraordinary,” says Meyer. “Having Joshua Cheptegei, Brenda Jepchirchir and Beatrice Chepkoech on the same start line, supported by an incredibly deep international field, is a milestone not only for our event but for road running in Africa. We believe that history can be made in both the men’s and women’s races. The prospect of witnessing the first sub-27-minute men’s 10km and the first sub-30-minute women’s 10km on African soil at a single event is incredibly exciting. Durban’s fast course, enthusiastic spectators and the athletes’ determination to push the boundaries of performance have all the ingredients for a truly unforgettable day of racing.”
EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
| 1. 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 |
| 2. Sunday 10 May 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
CANCELLED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST |
| 3. Sunday 12 July 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K / SOLD OUT |
| Start Line: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (MY) | |
| Finish Venue: Sunkist Lawns, Durban Promenade | |
| 4. Sunday 23 August 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K / SOLD OUT |
| 5. Thursday 24 September 2026 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K / SOLD OUT |
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WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com