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It’s going to be yet another bright red Heritage Day in the streets of Johannesburg.
Run Your City (RYC), one of South Africa’s most popular races, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and five years ago, in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic, Absa joined as a partner.
The race has since scaled to multiple locations across the country and is still growing strong.
Growth, expansion and more Jozi fitness
RYC took its first steps in the streets of Cape Town in 2015 and a year later Johannesburg also started running, followed by Durban in 2017.
The inaugural edition was welcomed by 10 000 enthusiastic runners in the Mother City who embraced their South African diversity.
It was inevitable that an initiative this popular would gradually sweep through to other parts of the country and cities followed suit in 2023, with the race launching in Gqeberha and Tshwane that year.
This year, Absa and its partners in the race have announced yet another milestone as Mangaung in the Free State joins the RYC family.
Numbers had plummeted around 2020 for obvious reasons, but in 2024 the race recorded its highest post-Covid numbers in Johannesburg, with more than 11 000 runners flocking to Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.
2025 was even bigger, with a reported more than 14 000 Joburg runners putting on their red best and integrating fitness into Heritage Day.
Since the financial services provider joined forces with the race, 200 000 runners have laced up and taken to the streets across the country.
What’s expected from this year’s race?
Mangaung’s participation is fully supported by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA).
Absa RYC Series founder Michael Meyer said the inclusion of Mangaung in the race is expected to stimulate more tourism, economic activity and community development in the region.
“This is a significant milestone for the series as it expands our footprint to six major South African cities, further strengthening our vision of showcasing the country’s diverse urban landscapes through world-class road running events,” he added.
For Joburg runners, RYC’s fusion of entertainment and fitness also creates the opportunity to explore the city’s history, diversity, heritage and unmistakable energy.
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“We’re excited to bring thousands of runners together in Johannesburg on National Heritage Day for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of running, culture and community,” Meyer said.
While the Joburg race is set to take place on Heritage Day, the race sold out in June, just one month after the entries opened. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t be a spectator enjoying the dynamic showcase of your city’s diversity and electric energy.
The Mangaung race takes place on 25 October from the Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College starting point. Places can be secured on Onreg before entries either sell out or close on 8 October.
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