Seen Here: George Kusche in action. Photo Credit: Action Photo
Pretoria, 17 August 2026 — The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K is set for a compelling battle of speed, endurance and ambition when South Africa’s reigning Comrades Marathon champion George Kusche lines up against a world-class field of 10km specialists on Sunday, 23 August.
Fresh from a record-breaking performance at the 99th Comrades Marathon, Kusche is determined to prove that his credentials extend well beyond the ultra-marathon distance. The 28-year-old has set his sights on breaking the 30-minute barrier on Tshwane’s challenging course and believes a fast 10km is fundamental to his success over longer distances.
Kusche’s transformation from elite track athlete to accomplished road runner has been steadily building since his return to South Africa in 2023. Armed with a sub-four-minute mile and a 13:28.95 5 000m personal best from his time competing in the highly competitive US NCAA system, he has progressively established himself as one of the country’s most versatile distance runners.
His 28:56 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2024 demonstrated his potential over the distance before he successfully transitioned to longer road races.
Six months later, he completed his marathon debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2:20:12, while a fourth-place finish at last year’s Soweto Marathon further underlined his growing road-racing credentials.
Then came his defining performance.
On 14 June, Kusche produced a remarkable run at the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon, clocking 5:15:56 to destroy the previous Up Run record by more than eight minutes and establish himself as one of the leading ultra-distance athletes in the country.
Yet, despite his extraordinary Comrades success, Kusche insists that speed over 10km remains a critical part of his preparation.
“If you want to be a good marathoner, you must be able to run a good 10km.”
That philosophy will be put to the test in Tshwane.
Kusche is targeting a sub-30-minute performance, a significant ambition given the altitude and the notoriously demanding nature of the Tshwane course.
“I’m hoping to be able to run a good race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. I’d love to see if I can run sub-30 minutes, which should be a good time at altitude,” he says. “I’m in decent shape and I’m really looking forward to this.”
Seen Here: (from left to right): Joshua Cheptegei and Salem Kibet in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July this year. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
Kibet arrives with victory in his sights
Standing in Kusche’s way will be Kenyan speedster Salem Kibet, who arrives in Tshwane with considerable confidence following a spectacular performance at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.
Kibet clocked a lifetime best 27:29in Durban to finish second behind Ugandan distance-running superstar Joshua Cheptegei, who won the race in 27:19.
The performance places Kibet firmly among the favourites for victory in Tshwane, where he will be looking to convert his Durban podium into gold.
“My target is to improve on my performance from Durban and compete for the win,” says Kibet.
His experience running alongside Cheptegei has also provided valuable lessons.
“Finishing second in Durban was not easy, especially running alongside a great athlete like Joshua Cheptegei. That experience taught me a lot.”
With only 10 men breaking the 30-minute barrier at last year’s notoriously hilly Tshwane race, the prospect of Kusche joining the leading pack adds an intriguing dimension to the contest.
A battle of contrasting strengths
The Tshwane 10K could therefore deliver a fascinating tactical battle.
Kibet brings elite-level 10km speed and the confidence of a 27:29 lifetime best, while Kusche brings a rare combination of track speed, marathon strength and ultra-marathon endurance.
For Kusche, the challenge is about demonstrating that his Comrades triumph has not come at the expense of his speed.
For Kibet, the mission is straightforward: go one better than Durban and claim the top step of the podium.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyerbelieves the contrasting strengths of the two athletes will add to an already highly competitive race.
“George Kusche’s decision to test himself over 10km against a field of established specialists adds another fascinating dimension to what is shaping up to be a highly competitive Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K,” says Meyer.
“He has already shown that he has the speed and endurance to compete at the highest level, and it will be exciting to see what he can produce over 10km after his record-breaking Comrades victory.”
Meyer expects Kibet to be equally determined.
“Salem Kibet arrives in Tshwane with enormous confidence following his 27:29 in Durban and will be determined to go one better this time. With athletes of this calibre on the start line, we can expect another exciting edition.”
Tshwane ready to run
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K takes place on Sunday, 23 August 2026,with the race starting and finishing on Stanza Bopape Street in Arcadia, Pretoria.
The sold-out event will get underway at 08:00, bringing thousands of participants and spectators into the streets of Tshwane for another celebration of elite and mass-participation road running.
The Tshwane race forms part of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which has already delivered standout performances in Gqeberha and Durban, while the Cape Town leg was cancelled because of severe weather.
With the Joburg and inaugural Mangaung races still to come, the Tshwane showdown promises to be another important chapter in a season defined by world-class competition.
For Kusche, however, the objective is personal: prove that the reigning Comrades champion can mix it with the fastest 10km runners in the field.
For Kibet, it is about finishing the job he started in Durban.
And for spectators, the prospect is simple — a high-quality clash between ultra-endurance and elite speed, with the streets of Tshwane providing the stage.
