Like a metronome of endurance ticking through the streets of South Africa, Stephen Mokoka is once again winding up for a precision strike—this time, with history and a R100 000 windfall in his sights.
The veteran of the roads, revered for his rhythmic stride and lungs that seem carved from steel, has set his compass on the Masters 10km World Best—a blistering 27:48—at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 13 July 2025.
The man who has long been a lighthouse in the stormy sea of distance running is now chasing not just personal glory, but a global benchmark. And the stakes have never been higher.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has always strived to create a platform for our local athletes to shine on home soil and to incentivise exceptional performances,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“When Stephen Mokoka shared his goal of breaking the Masters world record earlier this year, we knew we wanted to support him in a meaningful way.”
And meaningful it is—a R100 000 incentive awaits if Mokoka can eclipse Bernard Lagat’s 2015 record set in the United Kingdom.
Having finished third in Cape Town in May with a 28:06—his fourth-fastest ever 10K at the age of 40—Mokoka has smelt the blood of possibility. Like a seasoned greyhound catching wind of the hare, the Hollywood Athletics Club star now targets the lightning-fast Durban course, a stretch he knows intimately. It was on a similar flat-out layout that he once clocked a career-best 27:38, a then-South African record.
“I’m grateful to Stillwater Sports and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” Mokoka said.
“The opportunities we get through the series truly make our lives easier. To break the record, Bernard Lagat had to travel all the way from America to run in Manchester. So, I’m thankful to have an opportunity like this on home soil—especially now, with the younger guys performing so well over 10km.
“These days, you can’t get onto a podium with a 28:10 easily. A platform of this magnitude excites me, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”
What lies ahead is the final lap of a carefully calibrated build-up, sculpted after he crossed the finish line of the 56km Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra in April. Mokoka and coach Michael “Sponge” Seme flipped the script, trading diesel-fueled long runs for petrol-injected speed work. The next phase: shave seconds off every kilometre like a barber carving close lines, all while staying poised under pressure.
“My coach decided I had to go back to the drawing board,” Mokoka chuckled.
“It’s not easy, but I’ve got young guys at UJ in the Sponge Group who are doing a great job of burning my chest and legs. It’s also been great to visit other groups.
“At Zoo Lake, the course is tough—nine laps give me 400m of elevation. I can see why the Precious Masheles and Chris Mhlangas are so strong on the hills.
With the way I’m training now, I’m hopeful. I’ll be grateful for whatever comes, but hopefully, the weather in the City of Ethekwini plays along—and I can get that Masters record.”
Mokoka’s quest forms part of a broader celebration of elite racing in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which this year boasts a combined prize purse of R1.61 million. Each event features R322 000 in prize money, with extra sweeteners for South Africans who break major barriers—R200 000 for sub-27 in men, and R50 000 for breaking the national record.
“Stephen has been a strong supporter of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES since its inaugural event in 2015,” Meyer said.
“The R100 000 incentive is our way of showing appreciation, while recognising both his ambition and his remarkable contribution to South African road running. It would be an honour to celebrate such a monumental achievement with Stephen right here in Durban.”
As the countdown begins and the Durban streets prepare to hum with the rhythm of rubber on tar, Mokoka stands ready—his sights locked on immortality. Whether the July breeze blesses him with perfect conditions or dares him to fight through resistance, the fire in his legs and the precision of his pacing will tell the tale.
This isn’t just a race. It’s a potential rewriting of global history—by a South African legend, on South African streets.
Stephen Mokoka by Mark Sampson
Date: Sunday, 13 July 2025
Start Time: 08:00
Start: Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Finish: Durban Beachfront (Golden Mile)
Entry Includes: Performance T-shirt, peak cap, drawstring bag, Versus socks, medal, entertainment & timing chip.
Official Charity: CANSA – Championing South Africa’s fight against cancer.
More info: www.runyourcityseries.com
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
