By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Action Photo
Seen here (on the right): Cwenga Nose in action during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo
South Africa’s road running elite are set to ignite the 2026 season in spectacular fashion when the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K takes centre stage on Sunday, 1 March, with standout performers Tayla Kavanagh and Cwenga Nose targeting fast times on one of the country’s quickest courses.
Fresh off a breakthrough 2025 campaign, Kavanagh arrives in Gqeberha carrying both confidence and momentum. The 24-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club star cemented her status as one of South Africa’s premier distance runners last year, becoming the fourth fastest SA women’s 10km athlete of all time and breaking the 32-minute barrier on two occasions. Her career-best 31:41 at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 10km Peace Run was a defining moment in a season that marked her return to peak form.
Now, the former SA 10km champion is embracing a recalibrated approach to her training, placing renewed emphasis on the track to sharpen her speed before translating those gains back onto the road.
“This year, I’ll be focusing quite a lot on the track,” Kavanagh explained. “It doesn’t come naturally to me, so I want to challenge myself. I’m hoping that extra speed over 5 000m and 10 000m will make a big difference when I return to road racing.”
The strategy already appears to be paying dividends. In her first competitive outing of 2026, Kavanagh opened her season with a career-best 9:00.21 over 3 000m, claiming victory at the opening KwaZulu-Natal Athletics League meeting at King’s Park Stadium.
Heading into Gqeberha, Kavanagh is clear-eyed about her objectives. Rather than chasing immediate perfection, she is focused on building a solid foundation against a world-class field.
“The goal for the first race is to lay down a good base,” she said. “Gqeberha is known for fast times, and I’m excited to test myself against strong competition. When I’m calm and relaxed, I usually get the best results.”
Seen here: Tayla Kavanagh in action during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo
Nose ready to thrill home crowd
On the men’s side, Cwenga Nose will carry local hopes as he lines up in his adopted hometown of Gqeberha. The 2025 SA 10 000m silver medallist, who runs in the colours of Phantane AC, has been one of the country’s most improved distance runners over the past year and enters the race in scintillating form.
Nose signalled his intent early by winning the Colchester 10km with a commanding 28:45, finishing more than a minute clear of his nearest rival. With a personal best of 28:41, the 25-year-old from eNgcobo believes the flat, fast Gqeberha course could provide the ideal stage for a breakthrough performance.
“I’m in very good shape,” Nose said. “I trained hard throughout December to prepare for a strong season. This course is known for fast times, so the key is to stick to the plan and run my own race.”
He also credited coach Mdu Khumalo for his rapid progression, describing the past 12 months as a period of intense development and discipline.
A proven stage for excellence
Race organisers are confident that the combination of elite local talent and international competition will once again deliver world-class performances in Nelson Mandela Bay.
“Tayla Kavanagh and Cwenga Nose bring tremendous excitement to the elite races,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “Tayla is coming off a remarkable season, while Cwenga has made huge strides over the past year. With a quality field and fast conditions, we’re expecting something special.”
Meyer added that Gqeberha has consistently proven itself as a venue capable of producing standout performances. “It’s the perfect platform for athletes to test themselves against the very best in South Africa and beyond.”
As the opening race of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, the Gqeberha 10K promises a compelling blend of speed, strategy and high-stakes competition — and if early indicators are anything to go by, both Kavanagh and Nose are primed to set the tone for a thrilling season ahead.
2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series dates:
- 01 March – Gqeberha 10K
- 10 May – Cape Town 10K
- 12 July – Durban 10K
- 23 August – Tshwane 10K
- 24 September – Joburg 10K
The series boasts a combined R1.68 million prize purse, alongside innovative incentives aimed at elevating South African athletic performances throughout 2026.
