Defending champion Karabo Mailula (left) remains cautious ahead of the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10K as she manages her recovery from a recent knee injury. Picture: Action Photo
It’s rare for a defending champion to go into a race as an underdog, but Karabo Mailula finds herself in that exact position ahead of the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10K.
Speaking after the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km, Mailula admitted her fitness is still a work in progress: “My aim here was just to finish the race and run under 33:10, so I achieved my goal. But I’m honestly not sure about my fitness level at the moment. I’ve been resting because of my knee injury. I’m still in the process of recovery, so I’m not perfect.”
Despite the setback, her standout 2025 victory in Johannesburg remains the biggest highlight of her career so far.
Her personal best of 32:43 also came during a remarkable 2025 stretch, where she placed third at the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Series in Gqeberha. What made that performance even more impressive was that it came just three days after her triumphant 33:44 finish in Joburg.
