Following the remarkable achievements of the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which included the victory of former 10km world record holder Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) in Durban, the event organizers are thrilled to announce another exciting addition to the 2024 lineup. Kenya’s Diana Chepkorir, a sub-30-minute 10km performer, will make her South African debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 7 April.
“I decided to come to South Africa because I heard that fast times can be run there. I heard about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and have seen the results online. First of all, I heard that South Africa is a nice place to be. Secondly that the organisation is very welcoming and last, but not least, that it has fast races and as I am trying to always improve myself, I am happy to come and give it a try on 7th April,” she explained.
Chepkorir heads to ‘The Friendly City’ in the shape of her life after setting a jaw-dropping 29:56 lifetime best at the
FACSA Castellón 10K in February during what was her first official 10km road race outside of Kenya. Her transition from a steeplechaser to a road runner is bearing fruit and the Kenyan is aiming to go even faster at the first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race of 2024.
“I am still very happy that I could run my first race outside of Kenya below 30 minutes. Recovery was good and I was immediately motivated to continue my training. I want to run fast again, depending on the day. But I am feeling well and want to still make use of that shape,” she said.
Stillwater Sports’ Managing Director and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, Michael Meyer, considers the participation of athletes like Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Diana Chepkorir in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series as beneficial, not just for road running, but for elevating the profile of South African sport as a whole.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Diana Chepkorir’s SA debut at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in 2024,” says Meyer. “Her participation adds an exciting dynamic to the race and underscores our commitment to bringing top talent to South Africa. Athletes like Chepkorir not only inspire us with their performances but also help elevate the standard of competition, which is crucial for the growth of the sport in our country. We look forward to seeing her compete and wish her the best of luck on race day.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. Sunday 07 April 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Start & Finish Venue: Beach Road, Kings Beach, Humewood, Gqeberha
Start Time: 07:00
Entry Fee:
• Licenced Runners R245.00
• Temp Licence: R30.00
Entry Includes:
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt
• Absa Drawstring Bag
• Absa Peak Cap
• Absa Socks
• Race Number with Timing Chip
• Amazing Sponsor Route Entertainment Points
• Lively Route Entertainment Points
• 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route
• Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service
• Pre and Post Event Entertainment
• Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher’s Medal
2. Sunday 12 May 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
3. Sunday 07 July 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
4. Sunday 25 August 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Tuesday 24 September 2024 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
PRIZE PURSE: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00 in 2024. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000. Within this allocation, R252,000 will be earmarked for the Open Category, with R126,000 dedicated to the Top 10 Open Men and R126,000 to the Top 10 Open Women. Additionally, R60,000 will be designated for Age Categories. The top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers. The Age Category Prize Purse will be distributed among the top three finishers in each of the Junior, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, and 70+ Age Categories. To view the complete Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.runyourcityseries.com
SA ATHLETE PRIZE INCENTIVES: The “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” is applicable to all five iconic races in the series in 2024 and will offer bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men’s category, bonuses start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R 200,000.00 bonus awaiting anyone who breaks the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses will start for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with a remarkable R200,000.00 incentive being awarded if the 30:23 barrier is broken.
To further elevate the excitement, an additional R50k is on the table for any South African athlete who breaks the current SA 10km record.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
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Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.
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