Kabelo Mulaudzi answered his critics in the heat of Joburg, grinding out a 28:48 victory to defend his Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day.
The Boxer star held off teammate Zenzile Pheko by four seconds after a punishing battle over Johannesburg’s hills, with Pheko clocking 28:52.
Mulaudzi averaged a blistering 2:43 per kilometre on his way to Rahima Moosa Street, producing the decisive surge when the race entered its final stages.
The victory came after a frustrating season disrupted by a hamstring problem.
“I know everyone is watching me all the time. When I up the pace, they’re pushing me. When I slow down, they slow down, so I have to focus and make sure I wait for the right time. So that’s what I did today,” Mulaudzi said.
The 28-year-old, who won four of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races last year, had been forced to dig deep mentally as his 2026 campaign failed to match the heights of his breakthrough season.
That patience finally paid off on the Joburg streets.
“Honestly, this win means a lot to me, to defend my title. I never win races like this, so I’m very happy with my performance.”
Mulaudzi said his hamstring felt much better on race day, with the victory restoring confidence ahead of his remaining targets.
“For now I’m focusing on 5K and then after that I’m going to run the last Absa [Mangaung 10K].”
He credited coach Richard Mayer, his support team, sponsor, Puma and his club for helping him through the difficult period.
His message to runners dealing with setbacks was simple.
“You must wait for the right time. You must be patient and keep training. Believe in yourself.”
Chemutai leads Kenyan clean sweep
Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai added more Kenyan gold dust to the Joburg streets by winning the women’s race in 32:50.
She led a Kenyan clean sweep, with Mercy Jelimo second in 33:10 and Esther Borura third in 33:27.
Great Britain’s Emma Pallant-Browne was fourth in 34:15, followed by Kenya’s Dorcus Chepkwemoi in 34:21.
Defending champion Karabo Mailula was the leading South African in sixth in 34:44, with Hollywood Athletics Club veteran Irvette van Zyl seventh in 34:45.
For Chemutai, it was only her second 10km race in South Africa.
“I’m happy to win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. The race was hard but I tried. It was my second 10km race,” she said.
“The course was hard and it was a little bit windy, but I’m happy I won.”
Joburg delivered heat, hills and high drama. Mulaudzi delivered when it mattered most.
A sold-out field of 15 000 runners participated in the fifth leg of the popular series in 2026, following events in Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban and Pretoria. The sixth Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K takes place in Bloemfontein on 25 October 2026.
RESULTS: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Date: Thursday 24 September 2026
Start Line: Lilian Ngoyi Street
Finish Line: Rahima Moosa Street
Start Time: 08:00
ELITE MEN
1 Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) 28:48, 2 Zenzile Pheko (South Africa) 28:52, 3 Stephen Ngigi Kangethe (Kenya) 28:52, 4 Dolphine Chelimo (Uganda) 28:59, 5 George Kusche (South Africa) 29:00, 6 Onalenna Khonkhobi (South Africa) 29:10, 7 Bennett Seloyi (South Africa) 29:12, 8 Tumelo Motlagale (South Africa) 29:17, 9 Chris Mhlanga (South Africa) 29:37, 10 Musawenkosi Mnisi (South Africa) 29:40
ELITE WOMEN
1 Deborah Chemutai (Kenya) 32:50, 2 Mercy Jelimo (Kenya) 33:10, 3 Esther Borura (Kenya) 33:27, 4 Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) 34:15, 5 Dorcus Chepkwemoi (Kenya) 34:21, 6 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 34:44, 7 Irvette van Zyl (South Africa) 34:51, 8 Dirbe Techanie Dagne (South Africa) 34:55, 9 Zanele Maisa (Ethiopia) 36:01, 10 Malineo Mahloko (Lesotho) 36:27
