Seen here (from left to right): Reigning 10,000m Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei and Salem Kibet in action at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K in July this year. Picture: Anthony Grote
There was a time when South Africa’s premier road races were largely domestic affairs, with global elite runners treating the local circuit as a secondary destination. That era is officially over.
Across the country—from coastal sea-level routes in Cape Town and Durban to the punishing altitude of Tshwane and Johannesburg—South African road running is undergoing an explosive boom. Driven by world-class series like the Absa Run Your City 10K and the Totalsports Women’s Race, South Africa has transformed into a high-stakes magnet for world-class talent, setting the stage for thrilling head-to-head battles between international superstars and top local contenders.
Central to this road running revival is the influx of heavyweights from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and beyond, who are no longer just visiting—they are making their South African debuts with ambitious targets in mind.
At the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg 10km, Kenyan sensation Brenda Kenei will compete on South African soil for the first time on Sunday. Boasting a lightning-fast personal best of 30:29, Kenei is using the high-altitude Johannesburg course as a crucial stepping stone to chase a qualifying standard for the 2027 World Championships.
