The Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K race will once again take place in Durban this Sunday, July 12th, gathering an elite group of athletes whose roots trace back eight years. In 2018, Joshua Cheptegei, Steven Mokoka, and Kabelo Mulaudzi crossed this same finish line before choosing completely different career paths.
Reunion on the Track
This weekend, these paths converge again as all three athletes return to the track in Durban. In 2018, Joshua Cheptegei, then a star from Uganda, surpassed all competitors, winning the race in 27 minutes and 16 seconds. This was the first time anyone had run 10km in under 28 minutes on South African soil.
Kabelo Mulaudzi, a young and inexperienced runner from South Africa, finished nearly two minutes behind the winner, taking 13th place. At that time, he was just one of the participants.
Steven Mokoka, one of South Africa's most respected and decorated veterans, finished in a commendable but significant sixth place.
Mokoka's Expectations
At 41 years old, Steven Mokoka, who previously held the South African 10km record with a best time of 27:38, eagerly awaits the opportunity to meet the Ugandan icon again. He notes that Cheptegei's presence significantly raises the level of local competition.
Mokoka recalled their 2018 race, saying: 'It was a great event because of his presence.' That day, the first 10km race faster than 28 minutes was recorded in South Africa. Mokoka is convinced that competing against elite global talent provides an invaluable platform for young local athletes to test their true potential.
He added: 'It is a wonderful opportunity for novice athletes to compete with one of the best athletes and a world record holder. Young athletes will not be afraid to speed up, and Joshua will want to remind everyone of his class.'
Mulaudzi's Career Development
Mulaudzi is one of those young athletes who later achieved star status. Since the 2018 race against Cheptegei, Mulaudzi has transformed into one of South Africa's leading road runners, winning six different RUN YOUR CITY 10km races.
He attributes his career rise to these high-level contests, which helped him reach the international stage, later leading to an invitation to the prestigious Great Manchester Run. Mulaudzi expressed gratitude to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY series, noting its highest organizational standard.
Now being an elite competitor, Mulaudzi hopes that Cheptegei's impressive presence will push him to break his current personal record of 27:41, which he set on the Durban track in 2025. Mulaudzi emphasized that he enjoys competing against stronger opponents.
Organizers' Comments
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the series, stressed that the return of a global superstar like Cheptegei demonstrates the huge growth of local athletes who are now ready to challenge him directly. Meyer recalled how Cheptegei's historic 2018 race influenced the development trajectories of the South African elite.
He stated: 'We clearly remember what his presence meant in 2018, when he became the first athlete to break the 28-minute barrier on South African soil and set a remarkable SA All-Comers record. This race also spawned a European record and inspired performances across the board, including Steven Mokoka and young Kabelo Mulaudzi, who is now one of our leading athletes.'
According to Meyer, athletes like Mokoka and Mulaudzi thrive in conditions of such high competition, raising the bar for all participants. He concluded that when the world's best participate in their races, it increases the significance of the event, inspires the next generation, and strengthens the status of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY series as truly world-class.