Stephen Mokoka sets sight on World Masters record at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

By the time most men reach 40, they’re slowing down—relegated to reminiscing about glory days long past. But not Stephen Mokoka. No, the South African distance maestro is lacing up for one more surge down the home stretch of greatness, chasing the ticking clock like a sprinter hunting the finish line. This July, in the sun-soaked lanes of Durban’s Golden Mile, Mokoka won’t just be racing other runners—he’ll be going toe-to-toe with Father Time.

On Sunday, 13 July 2025, Mokoka aims to shatter the  World Masters 10km Record at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, setting his sights on the mark etched by Bernard Lagat—an Olympic icon who defied age in 2015 with a time of 27:48 in Manchester.

“It’s a goal,” Mokoka says with the calm confidence of a seasoned boxer stepping into the ring for one last title shot.

“The World Masters 10km record was run by Bernard Lagat in 2015 in Manchester and I was present on that day. I remember running away from him because I didn’t want to be beaten by a master. But time flies. Ten years later, I’m here. It’s my turn now.”

Racing into Legacy

Back in 2015, Mokoka was the young buck, roaring past Lagat to clock a then-SA record of 27:38.

But now, he finds himself at the same crossroads—older, wiser, and more determined. To eclipse Lagat’s mark, Mokoka must summon a performance near the edge of his physical limit, needing to clock the second fastest time of his storied 20-year career.

If his third-place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K last month is any indication, the fire still burns hot. He clocked 28:06,  the fourth fastest 10km of his life, proving his legs still hold a spring that defies the calendar.

“I’m doing well for now. Over the next few weeks, I aim to get stronger,” Mokoka shared.

For the past two years, I’ve been running 27:57 or 27:55, so I’m just a few seconds off that record. This time, I’ll have to dig a little deeper.”

And dig he will. The man who’s danced with Olympic flames four times isn’t just chasing numbers—he’s chasing history.

Training with Hendrick Ramaala’s gritty Zoo Lake squad, Mokoka’s been grinding through long runs, tuning his body like a race car in the pit stop, hoping Durban’s coastal winds blow in his favour.

“I’m hoping Durban gives us good weather, like Cape Town did. Hopefully, I can break that Masters World Record, and I’m grateful to Absa and Stillwater Sports for the opportunity.”

Kavanagh’s Climb: From Injury to Intention

Alongside Mokoka’s high-stakes duel with the clock, Tayla Kavanagh,  just 24, is scripting her own comeback story. After two injury-marred seasons that tested both her body and belief, Kavanagh is back—and beginning to flicker with the same brilliance that saw her win the 2021 Durban 10K in a lifetime best 32:10.

“I’ve just maintained a positive mindset, knowing that setbacks pave the way for a greater comeback,” she said, her words a quiet echo of a fighter’s resilience.

“I’ve been really patient and trusted the process.”

At the Cape Town 10K in May, Kavanagh clocked 33:01—a sixth-place finish, and more importantly, her best time in years. She believes the elusive sub-33 is now within reach.

“My performance in Cape Town was a real confidence boost. I was super happy. Being in a happy place has helped me perform better. It’s definitely encouraging to run a good time and know that I still have more in the tank.”

Race Day Details: Durban Set for Fireworks

The 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is more than a footrace—it’s a stage where stories are written in sweat and speed.

Start Line: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Finish Line: The Durban Beachfront, Golden Mile
Time: 08:00 sharp
Entry Fee: R255.00 for licensed runners; R50.00 for a temporary license

Participants get more than just a chance to run shoulder-to-shoulder with legends. Each entry includes a performance t-shirt, drawstring bag, peak cap, Versus socks, race number with timing chip, two refreshment stations, top-tier route entertainment, and a finisher’s medal worthy of a gladiator.

More importantly, the race champions a cause. Proceeds support CANSA—the Cancer Association of South Africa—ensuring every stride taken pushes not just for finish lines, but for a cancer-free future.

Prize Money and Performance Bonuses: Racing with Rewards

The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES dangles a combined prize purse of R1.61 million, with R322,000 up for grabs at each of its five events. The top man and woman in each race will earn R30,000 apiece, and age category winners—from Juniors to the 70+ veterans—will also take home their share of the spoils.

But it’s the SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule that turns heads:

Men breaking 27 minutes?  A R200,000 bonus.
Women cracking 30:23?  Same deal.
New SA Record? Add another R50,000.

“We are incredibly excited to see Stephen Mokoka chase the title of the fastest 40-year-old over 10km at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.

“It would be a truly special moment to see him set a new record on our Durban course. It’s also fantastic to welcome Tayla Kavanagh back. Having both Stephen and Tayla on the start line promises competition of the highest calibre.”

So on July 13, as Durban wakes to the rhythmic thunder of 10,000 footsteps pounding the promenade, watch for the veteran chasing legacy and the young phoenix rising anew.

Because for some, the road isn’t just a race—it’s a reckoning. And at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, the clock won’t just tick… It will tremble.

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