Elite athletes will be targeting the fastest times ever run on African soil in both the men’s and women’s races at the first leg of the Absa Run Your City 10km series in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Men’s race
Among the men, South African star Adriaan Wildschutt has his sights set on reclaiming the national record.
Wildschutt won in Gqeberha last year in 27:28, setting a new SA mark, but countryman Maxime Chaumeton snatched the record away from him by running an impressive 26:55 in Brasov in October.
Though he was on his own for much of the race through the streets of Gqeberha in 2025, Wildschutt is expecting to have some company at the front of the elite field this weekend.
He will turn out against a world-class line-up which includes Kenya’s Isaac Kibet Ndiema, who set a 26:55 personal best in Brasov in September 2022, as well as Lesotho national record holder Kamohelo Mofolo.
“To run fast anywhere in the world you need a high level of competition, great pace making and good weather,” said Wildschutt, who will receive a R300 000 incentive if he dips under 27 minutes.
“I’m not saying that to be arrogant but rather acknowledging that I need other people to work with to help me to achieve this tough goal.”
Ndiema is also hoping to become the first athlete to run under 27 minutes on African soil.
“I will definitely go with the early pace as this can help me to also run a good time in the end,” Ndiema said.
“Running sub-27 for 10km on African soil needs a lot of determination and good preparation, but if it is to be done, I think this series in South Africa is where it will be done.”
Women’s race
Quick times are also expected in the women’s race, with the field spearheaded by 20-year-old Kenyan athlete Brenda Chepchirchir who clocked 29:25 in Valencia in January, climbing to fourth place in the all-time global rankings over the 10km distance.
She is up against the likes of compatriot Faith Cherono, who finished sixth behind Chepchirchir in Valencia in 30:06, as well as South African record holder Glenrose Xaba and Lesotho national record holder Neheng Khatala.
“I’m happy to be here to race in South Africa because I hear that it’s a fast course,” Chepchirchir said.
“My aim is to break my personal best time and hopefully make history by running the fastest time on African soil.”
Xaba, who finished third in 31:50 at the 2025 race in Gqeberha, said she was eager to challenge her national 10km mark of 31:12 which she set at the Absa Run Your City race in Durban in July 2024.
“I have great memories from racing in Gqeberha last year and finishing on the podium. This time, I want to improve on that performance,” Xaba said.
“My target is to run a personal best and compete for the top positions again. If I execute my race plan well, I believe a strong result is possible.”
* Featured image of elite men and women runners by Richard Pearce
