Thousands of runners will take over Johannesburg on 24 September as motorists are urged to plan ahead
Seen Here: The streets of Jozi resemble a sea of red at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K in 2025. Photo Credit: Frank Meyer
JOHANNESBURG — Johannesburg is preparing for a major Heritage Day sporting spectacle as thousands of runners take to the streets for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
With the sold-out 10km race set to transform parts of the Johannesburg CBD, Newtown and major sections of the M1 and M2 into a mass-participation running route, motorists and residents have been warned to plan their journeys around extensive temporary road closures.
The race starts at 08:00 from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, with the official event route incorporating the Nelson Mandela Bridge, sections of the M1 and M2 highways and a loop through the Johannesburg CBD.
The event forms part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and will combine elite road running with entertainment, community participation and a celebration of South African heritage.
Seen Here: The streets of Jozi resemble a sea of red at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K in 2025. Photo Credit: Frank Meyer
Johannesburg gets ready to run
The Joburg race has become a major fixture on the South African road-running calendar since its launch in 2016.
This year’s event will have additional significance as it takes place on National Heritage Day, with organisers positioning the race as a celebration of sport, culture, music and community in the City of Gold.
The official organiser says the route will give runners a different perspective of Johannesburg, taking them across some of the city’s most recognisable roads and landmarks while sponsor and entertainment zones create an atmosphere along the course.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, said staging an event of this scale in the heart of Johannesburg is an opportunity to showcase the city, while acknowledging the impact on residents and road users.
“Our priority is to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, and the road closures are an important part of making this possible.”
Meyer also appealed to the public for patience and cooperation as the city prepares to host thousands of participants on Heritage Day.
Road closures begin on Wednesday
Event infrastructure will begin going into place from 14:00 on Wednesday, 23 September, with several roads closing during the build-up period.
The initial closures will affect sections of:
- Lilian Ngoyi Street
- Jennings Street
- Rahima Moosa Street
- Margret Mcingana Street
These build-up closures are scheduled to remain in place until midnight, depending on the affected road section.
Seen Here: The streets of Jozi resemble a sea of red at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K in 2025. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Major closures on race day
More extensive restrictions will come into effect in the early hours of Thursday, 24 September, as organisers prepare the course and runners move through the city.
Key affected routes include sections of Henry Nxumalo Street, Quinn Street, Rahima Moosa Street, Lilian Ngoyi Street, Miriam Makeba Street, Carr Street, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Bertha Street, de Korte Street, Henri Street, Juta Street, Smit Street and Main Street.
Several ramps connecting motorists to the M1 and M2 will also be temporarily closed.
The closures are staggered according to the race route, with some roads closing from 03:00, while others will close later in the morning as the race approaches.
The organiser says all road closures will be lifted and normal traffic flow restored by approximately 11:30 on race day, although individual roads will reopen progressively according to operational requirements.
M1 and M2 affected
Motorists using Johannesburg’s major arterial routes should take particular note of restrictions around the M1 and M2.
Affected areas include:
- M1 southbound between the Empire Road off-ramp and M2 split
- Smit Street M1 off/on-ramps
- Carr Street on-ramp to the M1 southbound
- M2 eastbound between Village Road and Joe Slovo off-ramp
- Village Road/Simmonds Street on-ramp to the M2
- Faraday/Eloff Street on-ramp
- Wemmer Pan/Mooi Street off-ramp
- Joe Slovo off-ramp
- Sections of M31/Heidelberg Road
These restrictions are expected to have a significant impact on normal traffic patterns during the race.
Seen Here: The streets of Jozi resemble a sea of red at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K in 2025. Photo Credit: Charles Ndou
Road closure schedule
Wednesday, 23 September — Event build-up
| Road | Affected section | Closure |
| Lilian Ngoyi Street | Henry Nxumalo – Miriam Makeba streets | 14:00–24:00 |
| Lilian Ngoyi Street | Quinn – Henry Nxumalo streets | 14:00–24:00 |
| Lilian Ngoyi Street | Malherbe – Quinn streets | 14:00–24:00 |
| Jennings Street | Vorster – Lilian Ngoyi streets | 14:00–24:00 |
| Rahima Moosa Street | Miriam Makeba – Henry Nxumalo streets | 14:00–24:00 |
| Margret Mcingana Street | Rahima Moosa – Lilian Ngoyi streets | 14:00–24:00 |
Thursday, 24 September — Race day
Among the major closures:
| Road/route | Closure time |
| Lilian Ngoyi Street — Henry Nxumalo to Miriam Makeba | 00:00–15:00 |
| Rahima Moosa Street — Miriam Makeba to Henry Nxumalo | 00:00–15:00 |
| Margret Mcingana Street — Rahima Moosa to Lilian Ngoyi | 00:00–15:00 |
| Henry Nxumalo Street — Gwigwi Mrwebi to Rahima Moosa | 03:00–11:00 |
| Quinn Street — Gwigwi Mrwebi to Rahima Moosa | 03:00–11:00 |
| Lilian Ngoyi Street — Miriam Makeba to Gerard Sekoto | 03:00–09:00 |
| Carr Street — Miriam Makeba to Ntemi Piliso | 03:00–09:30 |
| Nelson Mandela Bridge — Carr to Bertha | 07:00–09:30 |
| Bertha Street — Nelson Mandela Bridge to de Korte | 03:00–09:30 |
| Smit Street — Graf to Henri | 03:00–10:00 |
| M1 Southbound — Empire Road to M2 split | 07:00–10:00 |
| M2 Eastbound — Village Road to Joe Slovo | 07:00–10:00 |
| Anderson Street — off-ramp from M31 | 07:00–10:30 |
| Main Street — Marshall to New streets | 03:00–11:30 |
| Marshall Street — off Main Street | 03:00–11:45 |
| Ntemi Piliso Street — off Main Street | 03:00–11:45 |
| Rahima Moosa Street — approach to Newtown | 03:00–11:30 |
Motorists urged to plan ahead
With thousands of runners, spectators, race officials and support personnel expected in central Johannesburg, motorists are being urged to avoid affected areas where possible and allow additional travel time.
JMPD officers and event marshals will be deployed along the route to assist with traffic management and guide road users through affected areas.
The best approach for motorists is to plan alternative routes before leaving home rather than attempting to navigate around closures once the race is underway.
A sold-out Heritage Day celebration
The 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K is already sold out, with the race expected to attract a large field of runners and spectators.
The event will also feature entertainment along the route, adding to the festival atmosphere that has become a defining part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.
The 2026 series has already produced major international performances, including Joshua Cheptegei’s 27:19 victory in Durban and Doreen Cherop’s consecutive series victories in Durban and Tshwane.
Joburg now takes its turn.
Race-day essentials
Event: Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Start: 08:00
Start venue: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown / Lilian Ngoyi Street
Distance: 10km
Status: Sold out
Occasion: National Heritage Day
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K promises to turn Johannesburg into a giant running stage on Heritage Day — but for those who are not running, the city’s streets will require careful planning.
For runners, it is a celebration. For motorists, it is a day to plan ahead.
With the starting gun set for 08:00, Johannesburg’s Heritage Day will begin at a pace.
