By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
Seen here: Kenya’s Faith Cherono will line up alongside Brenda Jepchirchir at the start of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 1 March 2026. Photo Supplied
Gqeberha, South Africa – 16 February 2026: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is set to make history as Kenya’s Faith Cherono, alongside fellow elite runner Brenda Jepchirchir, headlines the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K on Sunday, 1 March. Organisers Stillwater Sports have confirmed that this event will feature the fastest women’s 10km field ever assembled on African soil.
Cherono, a former 5000m and cross-country athlete, has steadily built a reputation on the road. Her breakthrough came at the 2022 Adizero Road To Records race in Germany, where she clocked a personal best of 30:50 for fourth place. After a brief health-related hiatus, she returned to the sport in remarkable form, achieving a scintillating lifetime best of 30:06 at last month’s Valencia 10K – a performance that ranks her as the sixth-fastest female 10km athlete of the 2026 season.
“Valencia’s 10km course is very fast, and running with strong athletes helped me improve,” Cherono said. “After taking some time off for health reasons, it was important to get back on track. I’m excited to make my South African debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, competing on African soil with world-class runners.”
Cherono’s arrival in Gqeberha, following her determined fifth-place finish at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour in Eldoret, Kenya, signals a high-stakes showdown. Observers are already speculating whether she could become the first woman to run a sub-30-minute 10km on African soil.
“The confirmation of Faith Cherono and Brenda Jepchirchir sets a new benchmark for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “This elevates the competition to an unprecedented level and gives South African fans the chance to witness history in the making.”
Seen here: The Elite Women’s Field in action during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Grote
The Series That Puts South Africa on the Global Running Map
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has grown into South Africa’s premier 10km road-running celebration, combining mass participation with elite performance. In 2026, the series spans five cities:
- Gqeberha 10K – Sunday, 1 March
- Cape Town 10K – Sunday, 10 May
- Durban 10K – Sunday, 12 July
- Tshwane 10K – Sunday, 23 August
- Joburg 10K – Thursday, 24 September
With a combined prize purse of R1,686,000 and innovative SA athlete incentives, the series aims to encourage peak performance while promoting community engagement, participation, and enjoyment.
Elite and Mass Participation, Hand in Hand
Beyond the elite field, the series celebrates running for all. Every entrant in the Ultra Marathon, Half Marathon, and Trail Run will receive exclusive event T-shirts and limited-edition TTOM-branded running socks. In addition, Cipla’s partnership ensures enhanced recovery support through dedicated zones at the Expo, on-route, and at the finish line.
“Absa RUN YOUR CITY is more than just a race; it’s a platform where global excellence meets grassroots participation,” adds Meyer. “With Faith Cherono leading the field, fans can expect a spectacle of speed, determination, and the thrill of world-class road running.”
For more information and entries, visit www.runyourcityseries.com or follow the series on social media:
- Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
- Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
- Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
