Johannesburg, South Africa – 17 September 2025 — National Heritage Day is set to carry more than cultural pride and celebration this year. On Wednesday, 24 September 2025, all eyes will be on Johannesburg’s bustling CBD and its iconic M1 highway as South Africa’s in-form road runner, Kabelo Mulaudzi, seeks to crown a record-breaking season with his first ever victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K.
Already hailed as Mr Podium by his peers and fans, the 27-year-old Boxer Athletics Club star has made history by becoming the first athlete to win three consecutive races in the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. Now, he is determined to close out the season in style on home soil.
“I would like to achieve a comfortable victory but I know there are strong guys in the field who intend to make me work hard. Still, I am looking forward to winning on my home turf,” Mulaudzi said confidently ahead of the race.
A Season of Dominance
Mulaudzi’s 2025 season reads like a masterclass in consistency and endurance. After claiming victories in Cape Town, Durban, and Tshwane, he skipped the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km in August to conserve his energy, just two weeks after a silver-medal finish in Durban. His decision to focus on recovery and endurance training has set the stage for what could be his defining performance of the year.
His personal best of 27:41, set at the Durban 10K in July, underlines his ability to compete with the very best on the global stage. Having finished third in Johannesburg last year and runner-up in 2023, Mulaudzi and his coach, Richard Mayer, have tailored his training plan to ensure he peaks for the season finale.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K is at the end of the season and I am generally not at my best because I am tired. But this year, we worked on endurance in pre-season to keep my performance levels high,” Mulaudzi explained.
More Than a Race: A National Movement
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES has become one of South Africa’s premier running circuits, attracting elite athletes from across the globe while engaging thousands of social runners who embrace the sport’s spirit of inclusivity and community. The Johannesburg leg, which starts on Lilian Ngoyi Street and finishes on Rahima Moosa Street, offers a unique experience of running on the city’s major highway, an unforgettable stage for both professionals and everyday runners.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the Series, lauded Mulaudzi’s season:
“Kabelo Mulaudzi has enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. He’s delivered phenomenal results and it’s clear that he is in excellent shape, both physically and mentally. We wish him everything of the best for the grand finale in Johannesburg as he goes for gold.”
Prize Purse and Incentives Raise the Stakes
The 2025 Series boasts a combined prize purse of R1.61 million, with each event awarding R322,000. Winners in both the men’s and women’s open categories will take home R30,000, while second and third place finishers will secure R25,000 and R20,000, respectively.
In addition, the Age Category pool of R70,000 ensures that junior, veteran, and masters runners are also recognised, making this one of the most inclusive prize structures on the continent.
But it is the SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule that has generated the most excitement. Bonuses are awarded for exceptional times, starting at sub-28 minutes for men and sub-32:08 for women. The boldest targets carry eye-watering rewards:
- R200,000 for breaking the 27-minute barrier (men)
- R200,000 for breaking 30:23 (women)
- R50,000 for breaking the South African 10km record
These incentives not only raise the competitive bar but also ensure that South African athletes are rewarded for pushing the boundaries of endurance and speed.
Charity at the Heart of the Race
Beyond the podiums and personal bests, the series continues to make an impact off the track. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is the official charity partner for 2025, with runners encouraged to donate during online registration. Since 1931, CANSA has led the fight against cancer through research, education, and support for affected individuals and families.
The Road Ahead
With the Joburg 10K marking the fifth and final leg of the 2025 series, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Mulaudzi, it’s more than just another race. It’s a chance to seal his dominance in front of a home crowd, add a long-sought Johannesburg title to his collection, and inspire the next generation of South African runners.
As the city braces for National Heritage Day, the streets of Johannesburg will transform into a theatre of speed, resilience, and national pride. Whether Mulaudzi achieves his dream of a “comfortable victory” remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will be an unforgettable celebration of sport, culture, and community.
