Seen Here: Deborah Chemutai in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August 2026, where she placed third behind Glenrose Xaba and Doreen Cherop. Photo Credit: Action Photo
Johannesburg – International firepower, homegrown talent and personal ambition will collide in the heart of Johannesburg on National Heritage Day, Thursday, 24 September 2026, when the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K brings together a formidable field of elite distance runners.
Among the athletes attracting plenty of attention are Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai, who arrives in Johannesburg fresh from a career-best performance, and Uganda’s Dolphine Chelimo, who will make his much-anticipated debut on South African soil.
With the race already sold out, the Joburg streets are set for a spectacular morning of elite road running, with the 10km starting at 08:00 on Lilian Ngoyi Street before finishing on Rahima Moosa Street.
Chemutai arrives with confidence
Chemutai made an immediate impression on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series when she finished third at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August.
Despite the demanding combination of hills and altitude, the Kenyan produced a lifetime-best 31:59, finishing behind fellow Kenyan Doreen Cherop and South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba.
That performance makes Chemutai the only sub-32-minute athlete currently listed in the Joburg women’s field, setting the stage for another potentially memorable performance.
“I was happy to obtain third position in my first ever Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race,” Chemutai said. “The course was very hard, but I still managed to run my PB because I worked hard in training and the body responded well on the day.”
The 10km specialist is now looking to convert the confidence gained in Tshwane into an even stronger performance in Johannesburg.
“I am grateful for all the support and am looking forward to more success through my hard work,” she added.
Her challenge, however, will come against another competitive women’s field, ensuring that a fast time alone will not guarantee victory.
Seen Here: Deborah Chemutai in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August 2026, where she placed third behind Glenrose Xaba and Doreen Cherop. Photo Credit: Deon van der Merwe
Chelimo ready for South African debut
While Chemutai already knows what the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has to offer, Dolphine Chelimo will be experiencing it for the first time.
The 21-year-old Ugandan arrives in South Africa during a breakthrough 2026 campaign and has set his sights firmly on a podium finish.
“I decided to take part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K to challenge myself physically and be part of an event that promotes personal achievement,” Chelimo said.
His season has already featured several significant milestones.
In January, Chelimo finished seventh at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, before producing another eye-catching performance in June when he clocked a 13:13.72 personal best over 5000m at the prestigious FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands.
The third-place finish in Hengelo further underlined the Ugandan’s development and gave him confidence heading into the second half of the season.
For Chelimo, the formula behind his progress is straightforward.
“Patience and confidence is key,” he said. “Improvement in 5000m usually comes from consistency in training, building strength over time and believing that the results will show when the body is ready.”
Seen Here: Deborah Chemutai in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August 2026, where she placed third behind Glenrose Xaba and Doreen Cherop. Photo Credit: Deon van der Merwe
A serious test awaits
Chelimo’s first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series appearance will provide a significant examination of his credentials.
He will line up against a strong men’s field featuring defending Joburg champion Kabelo Mulaudzi, South African cross-country champion Zenzile Pheko, South African 10km champion Chris Mhlanga and 2025 South African Marathon champion Bennet Seloyi.
Rather than setting an elaborate tactical target, Chelimo says his immediate objective is to finish strongly and put himself in contention for a place on the podium.
“My target is simply to make sure that I finish strong, which means that I want to see myself on the podium.”
That ambition sets up an intriguing contest between an emerging international talent and a group of established South African road-running performers.
Seen Here: Deborah Chemutai in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August 2026, where she placed third behind Glenrose Xaba and Doreen Cherop. Photo Credit: Deon van der Merwe
Joburg ready for another elite spectacle
Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series founder Michael Meyer believes the arrival of Chemutai and Chelimo adds another dimension to an already competitive race.
“Deborah made an immediate impression on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in Tshwane, running a new personal best of 31:59 on a challenging course, and we’re excited to see what she can produce in Joburg,” Meyer said.
He also highlighted the significance of Chelimo’s debut.
“On the men’s side, Dolphine Chelimo adds another exciting dimension to what is already a highly competitive field. Making his South African debut against athletes of the calibre of Kabelo Mulaudzi, Zenzile Pheko, Chris Mhlanga and Bennet Seloyi will be a fantastic test for him.”
With the race taking place on National Heritage Day, Meyer expects the occasion to extend beyond the elite competition.
“With National Heritage Day adding to the occasion, we’re expecting another memorable day of world-class racing in the heart of Johannesburg,” he said.
A city ready to run
The Joburg leg is the fifth event of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, following races in Gqeberha, Durban and Tshwane, while the Cape Town event was cancelled because of a severe weather forecast.
The series has already produced some outstanding performances this season. Adriaan Wildschutt won the Gqeberha 10K in 27:47, Joshua Cheptegei claimed the Durban title in 27:19, while Salem Kibet won in Tshwane in 28:45.
In the women’s races, Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir triumphed in Gqeberha in 30:15, while Doreen Cherop claimed victories in Durban and Tshwane, recording 30:43 and 31:35, respectively.
Now the spotlight turns to Johannesburg.
With the race sold out and elite athletes from across Africa preparing to attack the streets of the city, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K promises another compelling chapter in the 2026 road-running season.
For Chemutai, it is an opportunity to turn a breakthrough performance into a potential Series victory.
For Chelimo, it is a chance to announce himself on South African soil.
And for thousands of runners and spectators, 24 September will be a celebration of speed, endurance, heritage and the unifying power of road running.
