By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Isaac Kibet Ndiema in action. Photo Credit: Fabienne Nicolas
The stage is set for a high-velocity clash on the streets of Gqeberha as Kenya’s Isaac Kibet Ndiema and Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo headline a world-class field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
With national records, continental milestones, and early-season momentum at stake, this year’s opening leg of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series promises more than just fast times — it could deliver history.
Ndiema: Chasing Sub-27 on African Soil
Isaac Kibet Ndiema arrives in South Africa carrying serious credentials. The Kenyan boasts a personal best of 26:55, making him the fastest man on paper in Sunday’s field.
For Ndiema, the objective is clear: dip under 27 minutes on African soil — a feat yet to be achieved in a 10km road race on the continent.
He believes the Gqeberha course offers the ideal terrain for such an assault. Fast, flat, and traditionally quick, it has become synonymous with aggressive pacing and breakthrough performances. Ndiema has already declared his intent to commit to an honest early tempo — the kind required to sustain a sub-27 rhythm over 10km.
With South Africa’s elite contingent also chasing history, the Kenyan’s presence injects the calibre of competition required to produce something extraordinary.
Seen Here: Kamohelo Mofolo during training. Photo Credit: James McKirdy
Mofolo: Redemption and Record Ambitions
While Ndiema hunts continental history, Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo has his sights set on reaffirming his dominance and re-establishing momentum after a turbulent end to 2025.
The Lesotho 10km national record holder (27:47) has already demonstrated his ability to operate comfortably inside the 28-minute barrier. His progression across the Series — including victories and podium finishes — has positioned him among southern Africa’s most exciting distance prospects.
Mofolo’s aborted marathon debut and subsequent illness late last year tested both his resilience and physical reserves. Yet by his own admission, the setback sharpened his perspective. With structured training restored and health stabilised, Gqeberha becomes his litmus test — the proving ground for a renewed 2026 campaign.
A strong performance here would not only signal a return to peak form but could potentially lower his own national mark once again.
A Series Built for Speed
Since its inception in 2015, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has transformed South African road running into a globally competitive spectacle. The 2026 calendar features five flagship events:
- Gqeberha – 1 March
- Cape Town – 10 May
- Durban – 12 July
- Tshwane – 23 August
- Joburg – 24 September
Backed by a combined prize purse of R1.686 million and innovative incentives for South African athletes, the Series has created an ecosystem where elite competition, mass participation, and commercial investment intersect.
More Than a Race
For race founder Michael Meyer and event organizers, the convergence of Ndiema’s raw speed and Mofolo’s steady ascent encapsulates the evolution of African road racing: world-class athletes competing at world-class pace — on home soil.
Should Ndiema succeed in breaking the sub-27 barrier in Africa, it would mark a defining moment in continental road running history. Should Mofolo respond in kind, Lesotho’s national narrative gains another chapter of distinction.
Either way, when the gun fires in “The Friendly City” on Sunday evening, the clock will not be the only thing under pressure.
Fast times are expected.
History is possible.
And African road running stands ready for another leap forward.
