The road to Cape Town is set to hum like a finely tuned racing engine as South Africa’s resurgent star Kabelo Mulaudzi and Kenyan speed merchant Felix Kibet Masai prepare to ignite the tar at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 10 May.
After missing the season opener through injury, Mulaudzi returns with the rhythm of a runner who has rediscovered his stride. His victory in the 10,000m at the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships served as both a statement and a springboard. Clocking 28:52.56, he surged to his first national track title, a breakthrough moment that has refuelled his ambitions on the road.
“I’m very happy to win the 10 000m title – my first on the track. I’ve never won anything on the track since I started running, so I’m very happy,” said Mulaudzi.
That performance was more than a medal-winning run. It was a signal that the engine is firing cleanly again after time spent in the repair bay. His narrow victory in a tactical 25-lap contest offered reassurance that the legs can handle pressure, pace changes and the unforgiving demands of elite racing.
Now the Boxer Athletics Club athlete returns to familiar terrain where he thrived during a scorching 2025 campaign, winning four of five series races and clocking a lifetime best of 27:41. In Cape Town, he lines up against a field that promises to stretch the elastic from the opening kilometre.
“It’s a good thing to invite the fast Kenyans because they push the pace and we’ll run fast times. My target is to finish on the podium as always. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself though. The win will be a bonus for me because it’s not easy to defend a title. If I can run under 27:45 or a personal best I’ll be happy.”
While Mulaudzi gauges his return, Masai arrives like a runner chasing the horizon. The Kenyan has been carving through courses with precision, recently setting a personal best of 27:24 in France before storming to victory at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon. His form reads like a negative split, building momentum with each outing.
Cape Town now presents him with a new stretch of road and a tantalising target. The South African All-Comers record of 27:16, held by Joshua Cheptegei, stands as the mark to chase.
“I’m very thankful for taking the victory at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon. I’m looking forward to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. My target is to run 27 minutes flat on the course. Some of the South African athletes I’m training with in camp told me the course is quite flat and fast, so I’m excited to test myself there,” said Masai.
The course, stretching from Marine Drive in Milnerton to the Cape Town CBD, is known for rewarding brave pacing. Like a downhill surge without the gradient, it invites runners to commit early and hold their nerve as the kilometres tick by.
Race founder Michael Meyer believes the ingredients are in place for something special.
“Having Kabelo back in the field after injury, especially following his breakthrough national 10,000m title, is fantastic for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and for South African road running. We’re excited to see what he can produce in Cape Town.
“On the international side, Felix arrives in outstanding form and brings an exciting new dimension to the race. He has made no secret of his ambition to run fast on his SA 10km debut, and to test himself against the course and conditions in Cape Town.
“He will also be targeting Joshua Cheptegei’s SA All-Comers Record which adds another compelling storyline to what promises to be a high-quality men’s race. When you combine that with Kabelo’s return and the depth of the elite field, we’re looking forward to a truly memorable edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K.”
The 2026 series has already found its tempo, with Adriaan Wildschutt claiming victory in Gqeberha in 27:47, setting the tone for a season that is building like a perfectly paced race.
In Cape Town, the script points to a contest where every kilometre could feel like a finishing straight. Mulaudzi carries the hopes of a home charge, seeking a personal best that would confirm his return to peak condition. Masai arrives with the intent of rewriting the clock.
When the gun fires, the road will narrow into a ribbon of opportunity, and only those who dare to push the pace will remain in the lead pack when the city skyline comes into view.
EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. Sunday 01 March 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Elite Men’s Winner: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:47
Elite Women’s Winner: Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 30:15
2. Sunday 10 May 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Start Time: 09:00
Start Venue: Marine Drive, Milnerton
Finish Venue: Cape Town CBD
3. Sunday 12 July 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
4. Sunday 23 August 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Thursday 24 September 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
