By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Pictures: Supplied – Anthony Grote, Action Photo
Seen Here: The start of the elite race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 01 March 2026 as seen from the air. Photo Credit: Steven Eatwell
Gqeberha, 1 March 2026 – The 2026 edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K delivered world-class performances on Sunday morning, headlined by a historic SA All-Comers record from Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir and a commanding title defence by South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt.
Held along Beach Road in Humewood, the race once again cemented its status as a premier fixture on the South African road running calendar, attracting elite international athletes and thousands of mass participants.
Seen Here: Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) claims gold in the elite women’s race in a time of 30:15 at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
Jepchirchir Makes History on Debut
Although she crossed the line in a sensational 30:15, Brenda Jepchirchir’s time was ultimately one second outside the official SA All-Comers Record of 30:14, set by fellow Kenyan Christine Njoki in August last year. While narrowly missing both the sub-30-minute barrier and the record mark, Jepchirchir’s performance remains one of the fastest 10km times ever recorded on South African soil and stands as a remarkable debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.
Jepchirchir went through the halfway mark in a blistering 14:49, closely shadowed by training partner Faith Cherono. Paced by local favourite Melikhaya Frans, she maintained her tempo despite increasingly windy conditions over the second half of the race.
Cherono secured second place in 30:44, while South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba finished third in 32:13, marking her fourth podium finish in her last five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series appearances.
“I was looking to run sub-30 minutes, but because of the wind in the last 5km it was tough for me,” Jepchirchir said after the race. “But I’m still feeling good and I want to come back to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series again in Cape Town in May.”
Her performance underscores the rising standard of women’s road running in Africa and positions the series as a credible platform for record-breaking attempts.
Seen Here: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) claims gold in the elite men’s race in a time of 27:47 at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
Wildschutt Adapts to Defend His Crown
In the men’s contest, defending champion Adriaan Wildschutt once again demonstrated his tactical acumen and competitive resilience. With both pacemakers withdrawing shortly before the race — one due to illness and the other injury — the anticipated sub-27-minute record attempt was effectively off the table.
Undeterred, the 27-year-old US-based South African recalibrated his strategy. Making a decisive move just before halfway, Wildschutt surged clear of pre-race contender Isaac Kibet Ndiema, who boasts a personal best of 26:55. Wildschutt crossed the line in 27:47, successfully retaining the title he claimed in 2025.
Ndiema finished second in 28:01, while South Africa’s Tshepo Tshite impressed on debut, claiming third in 28:09.
“The organization is great, and it has nothing to do with them when pacemakers cancel,” said Wildschutt. “There’s no way I’ll run sub-27 alone on a windy day. But I gave up a lot of time to be here, so I didn’t want to be a quitter.”
He added that under optimal conditions — with dedicated pacemakers and the right race environment — a 26-minute 10km on African soil remains within reach.
Top 3 Men / seen here (from left to right): Isaac Ndiema (KEN), Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) and Tshepo Tshite (RSA). Photo Credit: Action Photo
Elite Depth on Display
The men’s top ten reflected the depth of competition, with athletes from South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, and Tanzania featuring prominently. Kamohelo Mofolo (28:25) and Zenzile Pheko (28:44) rounded out the top five.
In the women’s field, Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala (32:43) and Ethiopia’s Meselech Gedefaw (33:07) completed the top five behind Jepchirchir, Cherono, and Xaba.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the series, praised the adaptability and professionalism shown by the elite athletes.
“Adriaan had to adjust from chasing the clock to racing for the win. That’s the mark of a true professional,” Meyer said. “Brenda also produced an exceptional performance and came incredibly close to breaking the 30-minute barrier. The level of competition we witnessed today speaks volumes.”
Top 3 Women / seen here (from left to right): Faith Cherono (KEN), Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) and Glenrose Xaba. PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo
A Celebration Beyond the Elite Field
Beyond the elite races, the event celebrated mass participation and community engagement. Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorships at Absa, commended participants and partners for contributing to another successful edition.
“It was inspiring to see so many people taking to the streets, each with their own reasons for running and pushing themselves toward personal goals,” she said.
One participant, Kamva Mbambato, drove home in a brand-new Chery vehicle valued at R269,900, courtesy of the event’s official vehicle partner, Chery South Africa.
Seen here: Melikhaya Frans sets the pace for the Elite Women’s Race leading out Kenyans Faith Cherono (on the left) and Brenda Jepchirchir (on the right). Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
Looking Ahead: 2026 Series Calendar
The Gqeberha race marked the opening leg of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. Upcoming events include:
- 10 May 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
- 12 July 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
- 23 August 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
- 24 September 2026 – Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Seen Here: A sea of red takes over the streets of “The Friendly City” at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 01 March 2026. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote
As the series moves to Cape Town in May, anticipation is already building for another potential assault on the elusive sub-30-minute women’s mark — and perhaps even a breakthrough sub-27 or sub-26 men’s performance on African soil.
The 2026 opener in Gqeberha has set a formidable standard, combining elite athletic excellence with mass participation spirit — a hallmark of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series since its inception.
