Joshua Cheptegei wins this year’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

Thousands of runners lined Durban's streets on Sunday (12 July) for the 9^th edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, but it was Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei who stole the show!

The Ugandan distance-running legend crossed the finish line in an impressive 27:19, recording the second-fastest 10km ever run on South African soil, comfortably securing victory after breaking away from the field in the second half of the race.

Cheptegei, who also set the South African All-Comers record in Durban in 2018, said: "The race was really good. I enjoyed running here in Durban.”

After reaching the halfway mark in 13:48, Cheptegei increased the pace and never looked back.

“I decided to be a bit more aggressive after 5km because I saw we were not very fast and I wanted to run a fast time. For me to come and win is exciting and gives me motivation to move on to my next goal. It's really an incredible atmosphere. Coming here and seeing all the fans was spectacular. For anyone who has never run here, they should reconsider running on South African soil."

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Surprise winner in the women's race

While many expected pre-race favourite Brenda Jepchirchir to take the title, fellow Kenyan Doreen Cherop had other plans. She surged past Jepchirchir in the closing stages to claim a memorable victory in 30:43, improving her personal best and announcing herself as one of the stars of this year's race.

“The weather was great, and the last five kilometres were very fast," said Cherop. “I'm happy to win the race, especially because my target was just to be on the podium.”

Durban's Tayla Kavanagh also impressed, finishing fourth in 31:28, just two seconds outside her personal best.

Event founder Michael Meyer commented: "What we witnessed on the streets of Durban today was nothing short of extraordinary. Joshua Cheptegei once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of his generation, while Doreen Cherop delivered a sensational run."

Elite results for Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

Men's Top 10

1. Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) – 27:19
2. Salem Kibet (Kenya) – 27:29
3. Emmanuel Kibet (Uganda) – 27:32
4. Victor Okoth (Kenya) – 27:50
5. Agustino Daniel (Tanzania) – 28:03
6. Kabelo Mulaudzi (South Africa) – 28:06
7. Alex Lenalepisho (Kenya) – 28:10
8. Musawenkosi Mnisi (South Africa) – 28:11
9. Felix Masai (Kenya) – 28:13
10. Leonard Kwerit (Uganda) – 28:19

Women's Top 10

1. Doreen Cherop (Kenya) – 30:43
2. Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) – 30:52
3. Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya) – 31:25
4. Tayla Kavanagh (South Africa) – 31:28
5. Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) – 32:04
6. Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) – 32:36
7. Jackline Rotich (Kenya) – 32:52
8. Zanthe Taljaard (South Africa) – 33:49
9. Ntsoaki Molahloe (South Africa) – 33:59
10. Zanele Maisa (South Africa) – 34:21

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