South African champion Kabelo Mulaudzi delivers a tactical masterclass in Johannesburg, while Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai dominates the women’s race on Heritage Day
Seen Here: The leading Elite Men’s bunch in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day Thursday, 24 September 2026. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
JOHANNESBURG — 24 September 2026 — Kabelo Mulaudzi silenced any doubts about his form with a brilliant defence of his Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day, producing a decisive late surge to claim victory in Johannesburg.
Mulaudzi crossed the finish line on Rahima Moosa Street in 28:48, securing his first victory of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series after a frustrating season disrupted by a hamstring injury.
The Boxer Athletics Club star had plenty to prove — and delivered when it mattered most.
Known affectionately as “Mr Podium”, Mulaudzi stayed patient through a tactical race before making his move during the final three kilometres. He surged past early pace-setter Dolphine Chelimo of Uganda, taking control of the race before powering home to successfully defend his Joburg crown.
His winning time was just nine seconds outside his own course record of 28:39.
Seen Here: The streets of Joburg resembled a Sea of Red at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. Photo Credit: Frank Meyer
Mulaudzi back where he belongs
For Mulaudzi, the victory was particularly meaningful after an injury-hit campaign.
The South African, who won four of the five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races last year, admitted that his struggles this season had left him feeling overlooked.
“I wanted to defend my title because everyone had forgotten about me. I’m happy to be back. It’s my first win of the year and in the series. I’m very happy,” Mulaudzi said.
He acknowledged the unique demands of the Johannesburg course, including its altitude, heat and changing race pace.
“I’ve been struggling this year but I’m happy with my performance and defending my title. The injury is fine, it’s just that the race was tactical because it’s high altitude, it’s hot and you are running fast and slow. So, you have to adjust.”
Mulaudzi also credited coach Richard Mayer for his continued support, along with Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series founder and Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer, his sponsor PUMA SA and Boxer Athletics Club.
Seen Here: The start of the Elite Race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Thursday, 24 September 2026. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Pheko delivers another runner-up finish
Behind Mulaudzi, Zenzile Pheko continued his impressive form with another second-place finish.
Fresh from finishing runner-up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, Pheko produced another strong performance in Johannesburg, clocking 28:52.
He was pushed all the way by Kenya’s Stephen Ngigi Kangethe, who recorded the same time, but Pheko secured second place in a dramatic sprint finish.
Uganda’s Chelimo completed the top four in 28:59, while South Africa’s George Kusche finished fifth in 29:00.
Seen Here: Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai dominated the women’s race at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K to clinch her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
Chemutai makes her mark
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Deborah Chemutai delivered a dominant performance to claim her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series victory.
Chemutai broke clear of the field and crossed the line unchallenged in 32:50, improving significantly on her third-place finish at the Tshwane 10K in August.
The victory also saw Kenya complete a clean sweep of the women’s podium.
Mercy Jelimo finished second in 33:10, while Esther Borura took third in 33:27.
“I’m happy to win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. The race was hard but I tried. It was my second 10km race. The course was hard and it was a little bit windy but I’m happy I won,” Chemutai said.
Great Britain’s Emma Pallant-Browne was fourth in 34:15, followed by Kenya’s Dorcus Chepkwemoi in 34:21.
South Africa’s Karabo Mailula was the leading local woman in sixth, stopping the clock at 34:44.
Seen Here: Deborah Chemutai in action on route during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. Photo Credit: Deon Van Der Merwe
A Heritage Day celebration on the streets of Joburg
Beyond the elite competition, the event transformed Johannesburg into a sea of runners, walkers and supporters celebrating National Heritage Day.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Series Founder Michael Meyer praised the athletes and thousands of participants who contributed to the atmosphere.
“Congratulations to Kabelo Mulaudzi and Deborah Chemutai on claiming gold against an impressive field today, and to the entire elite field for giving us a truly world-class display of racing at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K.”
Meyer also highlighted the significance of the event’s community atmosphere, thanking entrants, sponsors, partners, stakeholders, volunteers and supporters.
Seen Here: Kabelo Mulaudzi successfully defended his Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day Thursday, 24 September 2026. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
The Series heads to Mangaung
The Johannesburg race was not the final chapter of the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.
For the first time, the Joburg event will be followed by another Series race, with the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K scheduled for 25 October 2026 in Bloemfontein.
The race will start at 07:00 at the Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College before finishing on Kings Way.
Entries are scheduled to close on 8 October 2026, or once capacity is reached.
Absa Head of Sponsorships Jabulile Nsibanyoni said the Joburg event demonstrated the power of running to bring communities together.
She also highlighted Absa’s R1 campaign, through which every kilometre logged by a Team Absa member on Strava translates into R1 towards community upliftment initiatives.
Seen Here: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K Finish Line at Mary Fitzgerald Square was buzzing with excitement. Photo Credit: Frank Meyer
Elite Men — Top 10
- Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) — 28:48
- Zenzile Pheko (South Africa) — 28:52
- Stephen Ngigi Kangethe (Kenya) — 28:52
- Dolphine Chelimo (Uganda) — 28:59
- George Kusche (South Africa) — 29:00
- Onalenna Khonkhobi (South Africa) — 29:10
- Bennett Seloyi (South Africa) — 29:12
- Tumelo Motlagale (South Africa) — 29:17
- Chris Mhlanga (South Africa) — 29:37
- Musawenkosi Mnisi (South Africa) — 29:40
Elite Women — Top 10
- Deborah Chemutai (Kenya) — 32:50
- Mercy Jelimo (Kenya) — 33:10
- Esther Borura (Kenya) — 33:27
- Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) — 34:15
- Dorcus Chepkwemoi (Kenya) — 34:21
- Karabo Mailula (South Africa) — 34:44
- Irvette van Zyl (South Africa) — 34:51
- Dirbe Techanie Dagne (South Africa) — 34:55
- Zanele Maisa (Ethiopia) — 36:01
- Malineo Mahloko (Lesotho) — 36:27
Seen Here: The leading Elite Men’s bunch in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K title on Heritage Day Thursday, 24 September 2026. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
From Joburg to Mangaung
With Mulaudzi reclaiming his Joburg crown and Chemutai opening her Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series account in emphatic fashion, the Johannesburg chapter delivered elite racing, dramatic finishes and a memorable Heritage Day celebration.
Now, the spotlight turns to Mangaung, where the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K will bring the 2026 Series to a new city and another community of runners.
The road continues.
