Lonwabo Mtyeku | Image Credit:Ray van Breda, Felix Dlanga
Seen here: Wade Bromfield (General Manager Stillwater Sports) with Verene Petersen (National Marketing & Communications Manager Chery South Africa) at an official sponsor function that was held at Nederburg Wines early in December 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Ray van Breda
Johannesburg – Chery South Africa has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to South Africa’s road-running community after announcing a three-year extension of its partnership with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, beginning in 2026.
The renewal follows four highly successful years of collaboration and coincides with the fourth anniversary of Chery’s re-entry into the South African market – a milestone that reflects both the brand’s growing footprint in the country and its alignment with high-impact sporting platforms.
A Partnership Built on Performance and Purpose
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has grown into one of the country’s most celebrated mass-participation road running events, attracting elite athletes, amateur runners and families in major metropolitan centres. Chery’s role as Official Vehicle Partner has become central to the operational and experiential success of the series.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer said the renewed partnership strengthens an already formidable collaboration.
“Over the past four years, our partnership with Chery South Africa has gone from strength to strength and has played a significant role in the continued growth of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” Meyer said. “Their innovation, reliability and passion have enhanced the overall experience for runners, partners and our operational teams. Chery’s fleet is not only a stylish and dependable mode of transport, but a critical operational asset during the build-up and on race day. Together, we are building an even stronger and more impactful series.”
Seen here: A Chery vehicle leads the way at the final Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Felix Dlanga
Deepening Community and Brand Connection
Chery South Africa CEO Tony Liu echoed the sentiment, highlighting the brand’s pride in the journey and its ambitions for the next phase of the partnership.
“We are extremely proud of what we have achieved over the past four years,” Liu said. “The partnership has delivered memorable experiences for runners across South Africa and strengthened our connection with Chery owners who actively participate in these events. As we look to the next three years, our commitment remains stronger than ever. We are excited to deepen our relationship with the running community and continue contributing meaningfully to the success of this world-class series.”
Driving Innovation and Experience
Under the renewed agreement, Chery will continue to serve as Official Vehicle Partner for the series in 2026, supporting events in Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane and Johannesburg. The partnership will also introduce new engagement elements designed to elevate runner and supporter experiences, while prioritising customer and dealer satisfaction.
The collaboration will continue to spotlight Chery’s vehicle range, showcasing performance, innovation and reliability in a high-visibility, community-driven environment.
2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Calendar
- 1 March 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
- 10 May 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
- 12 July 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
- 23 August 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
- 24 September 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
A Celebration of South African Running Culture
Since its launch in 2015, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has reshaped South Africa’s road-running landscape, blending elite competition with community participation, investment in social development and inclusive sporting culture. The series has become a key fixture on the national sporting calendar, drawing thousands of runners annually and showcasing the vibrancy of South Africa’s cities.
With Chery’s continued backing, the next three years are poised to usher in a new era of growth, innovation and deeper community engagement — cementing the RUN YOUR CITY Series as a premier platform where sport, lifestyle and social impact converge.
