Runners gear up for a vibrant day at the Absa Cape Town 10K
Image: Absa Run Your City Series
This weekend, approximately 15,000 runners will fill the streets of Cape Town for the much-anticipated Absa Cape Town 10K, a quintessential celebration of sport, community, and the breathtaking scenery of the Mother City.
The event kicks off from Woodbridge Island at 9am, drawing elite competitors, casual joggers, and those simply looking to soak in the atmosphere.
The 10K course promises stunning views of Table Mountain as participants navigate along the picturesque coastline, traverse onto the N1, and make their way into the bustling city bowl.
Along their route, runners will pass some of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks, culminating in a euphoric finish on Lower Long Street.
As one of South Africa's premier mass participation events, the Absa Cape Town 10K is not just about the run; it's about the community that rallies around it.
The roads transform into a high-energy festival, complete with entertainment, music, and various support zones that bring the route to life, ensuring both runners and spectators are immersed in an atmosphere brimming with good vibes.
'The City of Cape Town has been with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES since its inception 10 years ago,' noted Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
'This event has showcased our city's natural beauty, vibrant energy, and our people's passion for sports. It's a celebration of the spirit of thousands of athletes who have participated in the race and a wonderful reminder of the fun times we've had over the last decade.'
Road closures
To safely host this major event, a series of road closures will be in place over the weekend. Motorists are advised to plan and take note of alternative routes.
Some major roads on the route or intersecting with the route will be closed for several hours on Sunday. These include: The N1 inbound from the Marine Drive off ramp
inbound from the Marine Drive off ramp Marine Drive (between Loxton Road and Boundary Road)
Marine Drive (between Boundary Road and the N1 off ramp)
Heerengracht Street (between FW De Klerk Boulevard and Walter Sisulu Avenue)
Long Street (between Hans Strijdom and Wale streets)
Adderley Street (between Hans Strijdom and Strand streets)
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- The South African
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IOL News
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- IOL News
Meyer treats elite athletes like the superstars they are
And so it is that the majority of the elites who participate in the RUN YOUR CITY SERIES do so per invitation. With the funding for the race – thanks to sponsors Absa and other partners, Meyer provides transport and accommodation for the athletes at all the five events – Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg – as well as paying them appearance fees. It is how it must be. These, after all, are the men and women who make the races what they are – the broadcasters and the sponsors partner with the races because of them. They are the draw cards, and Meyer understands the importance of taking care of them. Unlike those renowned ultra races, which expect the elites to pay for entry fees and find their way to the events and accommodate themselves, Meyer takes care of the athletes in ways that leave them needing only to worry about their performances on race day. 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The RUN YOUR CITY SERIES boasts an unprecedented 'SA Athlete Prize Incentive Programme', which offers bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men's category, bonuses will start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R200,000 bonus offered to an athlete breaking the 27-minute barrier. For the women, bonuses begin for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with an impressive R200,000 incentive for breaking the 30:23 mark. To further raise the stakes, a bonus of R50 000.00 will be awarded to the South African athlete who breaks the SA 10km record (at the time of the race). Glenrose Xaba explained just why the incentives are strong motivators. 'The incentives are very important to me because they're directly linked to performance times, because the better my time, the better my chances of competing internationally. said Xaba. "These incentives motivate me to stay at the top because the rewards are tangible. 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Stephen Mokoka is gunning for the Masters 10km world record at next month's Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K — with R100 000 on the line and history within reach on home soil. Photo: Action Photo Image: Action Photo As if Stephen Mokoka needed more motivation to run the race of his life at the next instalment of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, the organisers have added extra fuel to the legendary runner's fire. Now, the Hollywood Athletics Club star has an additional 100 000 reasons to break the Masters 10km world record when he lines up at the Durban event next month. Mokoka has long made his intention clear to usurp Bernard Lagat as the fastest over-40 runner in the distance and will make his attempt on 13 July. His quest has now been given further impetus by organisers Stillwater Sports, who have dangled a R100 000 carrot as incentive for him to dip under the 27:48 mark that Lagat ran in Manchester a decade ago. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The opportunities we get through the series truly make our lives easier,' said Mokoka. 'To break the record, Bernard Lagat had to travel all the way from America to run in Manchester, UK. So, I'm thankful to have an opportunity like this on home soil – especially now, with the younger guys performing so well over 10km. These days, you can't get onto a podium with a 28:10 easily. 'A platform of this magnitude excites me, and I'm looking forward to what lies ahead.' Mokoka certainly has it in him to break the record – a mark set in a race he participated in. He has often recalled how he had to push hard in the Great Manchester Run to avoid being beaten by 'a 40-year-old', ultimately finishing just ten seconds ahead of Lagat, who was second. Most recently, he ran a 28:06 to finish third at the Cape Town leg of the popular series in May. Now, he is putting the final touches on his preparation alongside his long-time coach, the revered Michael 'Sponge' Seme, after a tough outing at the TotalSports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. 'My coach decided I had to go back to the drawing board. It's not easy, but I've got young guys at UJ in the Sponge Group who are doing a great job of burning my chest and legs,' Mokoka laughed. 'It's also been great to visit other groups. At Zoo (the Zoo Lake group of Hendrick Ramaala), the course is tough – nine laps gave me 400m of elevation. I can see why the Precious Masheles and Chris Mhlangas are so strong on the hills. 'With the way I'm training now, I'm hopeful. I'll be grateful for whatever comes, but hopefully, the weather in the City of Ethekwini plays along – and I can get that Masters record.' And, of course, swell his bank balance by that cool R100 000.
