In a race where tarmac turns to theatre and every footstep sings a stanza of speed, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 13 July 2025, promises a dramatic symphony of endurance and ambition.
With Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho eyeing national glory and Jesca Chelangat of Kenya preparing to rewrite the All-Comers record books, Durban’s sun-kissed streets may witness history being sprinted into reality.
Like a mountain goat let loose on the plains, Mofolo has bounded into form in 2025. From the wind-brushed coastlines of Gqeberha to the bustling boulevards of Cape Town, the Lesotho national has carved out personal bests like a sculptor shaping stone—28:11 in Gqeberha, followed by a blistering 27:53 in Cape Town, where he narrowly missed out on victory but edged ever closer to immortality.
That time puts him just a heartbeat away from Namakoe Nkhasi’s national record of 27:52, and Mofolo’s eyes are now locked on rewriting the history books in Durban.
“The race was enjoyable and I’m happy with my second place finish,” said Mofolo with the quiet confidence of a man who has tasted speed and craves more.
“Running my first 27-minute 10km makes me happy because this has been the plan that coach and I put in place for this year. I can break that national record and I feel that I can even run inside 27:50. That’s what I’ve been planning.”
His strides have become metronomes of purpose, and in Durban—where the sea air adds bounce to every breath—he’s planning to run like a gazelle with fire at its heels. Mofolo is not just chasing time; he’s chasing legacy.
But he won’t be the only one lighting up the Golden Mile.
Returning to the city where she ignited a thousand cheers, Jesca Chelangat arrives not merely as a competitor but as a queen reclaiming her coastal crown. In 2022, the Kenyan dazzled Durban by blazing to 30:41, beating Ethiopian legend Genzebe Dibaba and smashing the SA All-Comers record.
Jesca Chelangat at Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K 2022 by Josh Reid
Now, with a world-class personal best of 30:01, Chelangat’s compass is pointed firmly at Christina Njoki’s 2023 course record of 30:37.
“I enjoyed racing in Durban because people along the course really cheered for us a lot,” recalls Chelangat, her smile as bright as the early morning sea breeze. “The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES motivated me to believe in myself, believing that I can do even better and it also gave me confidence to race against a strong field.”
If training is the fire and races the forge, Chelangat is emerging sharpened and shining, ready to cut through the field with the finesse of a blade in flight.
“My training is going very well. Therefore I will try to run an even faster race so that I can lower the course record of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.”
Like ocean waves gathering momentum before crashing into shore, her return feels inevitable, powerful, poetic. She’s not just racing against the clock—she’s chasing the whispers of her own former self, faster, stronger, hungrier.
And the stakes? Higher than a pole-vaulter’s dream. With a combined prize purse of R1.61 million across the series, R322 000 for the Durban leg alone, and a hefty R200 000 bonus for women who go under 30:23, Chelangat has both history and heavy incentive on her side. The same goes for Mofolo—should he break the 27-minute barrier, a R200 000 pot of gold awaits at the finish line.
For South African athletes, there’s even more to play for. A R50 000 bonus is up for grabs for any local star who smashes the SA 10km record on the day.
The event will also once again support CANSA, the official charity partner of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, adding heart to the heat of competition. Runners can contribute to a cancer-free future simply by donating when entering the event online—an inspiring reminder that every step forward can be one toward hope.
“It’s always exciting to welcome top international elites to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, especially when they arrive with the ambition to chase national and SA All-Comers Records,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“Having athletes like Kamohelo Mofolo from Lesotho and Jesca Chelangat from Kenya toe the line is not only exciting—it’s important for the continued growth of road running in South Africa. Strong international competition raises the bar, pushes local elites to new heights, and ultimately elevates the standard of racing across the board.”
From Masabalala Yengwa Avenue to the Durban beachfront, every kilometre will be a chapter in a story that promises to be equal parts guts and glory.
With elite legs flying faster than the morning breeze and dreams dangling just ahead of the finish line, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is shaping up to be a thunderstorm of talent.
So mark the date, lace up, and listen closely. You may just hear the crack of records falling like coconuts in a coastal storm.
Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
- Date: Sunday, 13 July 2025
- Time: 08:00
- Start: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
- Finish: Durban Beachfront (Golden Mile)
- Website: www.runyourcityseries.com
- Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Let the chase begin.
