DURBAN – Joshua Cheptegei believes Sunday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K could produce a landmark moment for African road running as the Olympic champion returns to the race that launched his rise to global stardom.
The Ugandan world record holder is back in Durban for the first time in eight years, where he won in 2017 before setting the South African All-Comers record of 27:16 a year later. Now he is chasing an even bigger prize, becoming the first athlete to break 27 minutes for 10km on African soil.
With a personal best of 26:38, Cheptegei knows the target is realistic, provided the elite field works together.
“Running is the same as football these days, it has become a team sport. If the organisers want us to run sub 27 minutes all of us must come together then something good can happen,” said Cheptegei.
Race organisers have assembled one of the strongest men’s fields ever seen on the continent. Defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi, former South African record holder Stephen Mokoka and Kenya’s Gilbert Kiprotich are all expected to drive the pace in what promises to be a high-speed contest from the gun.
Mulaudzi, a two-time Durban champion, is confident home success can continue.
“I have done well in Durban in the past and I want to continue with that record. I think I’m in a good shape as I struggled at the Great Manchester 10K Run (31 May) with race fitness. I don’t want to put myself under pressure, but I always want to finish on the podium, the plan hasn’t changed,” he said.
Kiprotich, who boasts a 27:43 personal best and recently clocked a 27:01 10km split during the Lisbon Half Marathon, believes Cheptegei’s presence could inspire something special.
“The reason I decided to come to Durban is because I wanted to get a personal best time. Cheptegei is here and I know we are going to push. When a strong and a good athlete comes to race it means we are going to help each other to push the pace,” said Kiprotich.
The women’s race also has history in its sights. Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, the fastest entrant with a 29:25 personal best, is chasing the first sub-30-minute women’s 10km ever run on African soil.
“If the weather is good and the body responds, I’ll push,” said Jepchirchir.
South Africa’s Tayla Kavanagh, who won this race in 2021 when it doubled as the national 10km championships, is hoping hometown support can lift her performance.
“It’s special to have hometown support, I’m looking forward to Sunday. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is special to me as back in 2021, I won the race when it doubled up as the SA 10km Champs. I am really looking forward to seeing what we can produce on Sunday,” said Kavanagh.
The race starts at 07:00 on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue alongside Moses Mabhida Stadium and finishes at the Sunkist Lawns on the Durban Promenade.
