Seen Here: Kabelo Mulaudzi Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
South African distance-running stars Kabelo Mulaudzi and Glenrose Xaba headline the elite field for Sunday’s inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, with a historic series milestone and a potential personal best firmly in their sights.
MANGAUNG, 21 October 2026 – South Africa’s leading distance runners will have plenty to race for when the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K takes centre stage on Sunday, 25 October, with Kabelo Mulaudzi pursuing his seventh series victory and Glenrose Xaba targeting a new lifetime best on what is expected to be a fast course.
The sixth and final race of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series brings the prestigious 10km road-running event to Mangaung for the first time, setting the stage for a compelling season finale featuring two of the country’s most accomplished athletes.
For Mulaudzi, the challenge represents another opportunity to move closer to his ambitious target of ten career victories in the series. Xaba, meanwhile, arrives in strong form and believes Mangaung’s flat course could provide the ideal conditions to improve her personal best of 31 minutes and 12 seconds.
Mulaudzi targets another milestone
Mulaudzi, the reigning South African 10 000m champion and a leading performer for Boxer Athletics Club, heads to Mangaung determined to end a difficult season on a high.
The distance-running star secured his sixth Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory in Johannesburg on National Heritage Day in September, winning the Joburg 10K in 28:48. The result marked an important return to form after an injury-disrupted campaign.
His Johannesburg triumph was a significant contrast to his remarkable 2025 season, when he won four of the five series races contested.
Now, with the series heading to Mangaung for its inaugural event, Mulaudzi is eyeing another podium finish and believes a seventh victory is within reach if his body responds well on race day.
“Every win at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is extremely special to me and my coach, and it would be a fantastic end to a difficult year if I managed to win in Mangaung,” Mulaudzi said.
The athlete, affectionately known as “Mr Podium”, credits his consistency to disciplined preparation and a carefully structured training programme designed to deliver peak performances at targeted events.
“I stay consistent in my performances because my training is consistent and my coach and I work carefully on ensuring peak performances at the races that we target. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races have been our main target for the last four years,” he said.
“I would like to get a podium finish and, if I am feeling good on the day, perhaps a win.”
Mulaudzi’s recent performances suggest that he remains competitive heading into Sunday’s showdown. He clocked 14:01 to finish fifth in the Boxer Super Run 5km in Durban on 18 October, providing another opportunity to assess his form ahead of the season finale.
A victory in Mangaung would take him to seven career wins in the series, strengthening his position as he pursues the unprecedented milestone of ten titles.
Seen Here: Glenrose Xaba Photo Credit: Rae Trewbrowne
Xaba eyes a breakthrough performance
Xaba also arrives in Mangaung with considerable momentum, having delivered a consistent campaign across the 2026 series.
The South African marathon record holder, whose national-record time stands at 2:22:22, finished third in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 32:13 before claiming second place in the Tshwane 10K in August in 31:38, the third-fastest time of her career.
Her recent performances have further strengthened her confidence.
Xaba won the SPAR Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha on 26 September in 31:16 before producing an impressive solo performance at the Boxer Super Run Durban 5km on 18 October, clocking 15:29.
The 31-year-old believes those results indicate that she is ready to challenge her 10km personal best, particularly if Mangaung’s relatively flat route delivers the fast racing conditions she anticipates.
“I think I can run well,” Xaba said.
“I’m planning to run a good time because I heard that Mangaung is very flat. If the course is very fast and flat, then I think I can even run a PB. The time I ran at the Boxer Super Run 5km when I was running alone shows me that my legs are ready to produce something special.”
A personal best would represent another major achievement in an already impressive season for Xaba, who continues to establish herself among South Africa’s foremost female distance runners.
Mangaung prepares for a landmark race
The inaugural Mangaung event represents a significant addition to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, expanding its footprint while bringing elite athletics and mass participation running to the Free State.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the series, said the ambitions of Mulaudzi and Xaba had added further excitement to an already eagerly anticipated race.
“It’s exciting to see Kabelo chasing his seventh Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory as he works towards that incredible milestone of ten wins, while Glenrose continues to raise the bar and has a real opportunity to challenge her personal best in Mangaung,” Meyer said.
“Both athletes have shown outstanding form, and their ambitions add another exciting dimension to what promises to be a fantastic race. As we bring the series to Mangaung for the first time, we’re looking forward to seeing our elite athletes deliver a nail-biting contest and to welcoming runners and supporters to be part of this special occasion.”
The event also offers recreational runners an opportunity to experience the series, which combines competitive road running with entertainment and community participation along its routes.
Race-day details and entries
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K takes place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with the race scheduled to start at 07:00.
The start venue is the Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College, with the finish on Kings Way in Bloemfontein.
Limited entries remain available at R255 for licensed runners, while a temporary licence costs an additional R70.
Standard entry includes an event performance T-shirt, Absa Versus socks, an entrant drawstring bag, an Absa visor cap, a race number with timing chip and a finisher’s medal. Runners will also benefit from three refreshment stations, bag-drop facilities and entertainment points along the route.
Entries and further event information are available at www.runyourcityseries.com. Runners can also contact the event team via WhatsApp on 072 042 7613.
With Mulaudzi chasing another chapter in his pursuit of series history and Xaba looking to break new ground, Mangaung is set for a compelling 10km showdown that promises both elite competition and a celebration of South African road running.
