Latest news with #AbsaRUNYOURCITYSeries
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- 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. Michael Meyer – a former runner and the Managing Director of Stillwater Sports – is quietly revolutionising running in the country through the 10km Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series which he founded. But in the much shorter distance, a man with a passion for running is giving elites the kind of treatment they are worthy of. Elite runners who compete in the renowned Comrades, Two Oceans as well as the Om Die Dam, Loskop and Mangosuthu ultra marathons are treated no differently from the social runners – save for the seeding perhaps. It is the same in most of the renowned standard marathons. In a country where ultra running is supposedly king, isn't it ironic that it is in the much shorter distances where the elite athletes are treated with respect and receive the recognition they duly deserve? Athletes that are well taken care of can only want to perform at their optimum best. And there too, there are huge incentives that help ensure they run fantastic times. 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. Breaking my own record would be a dream come true — I'd be the happiest woman alive." Here's what Meyer says about the programme. 'While our focus will always be on ensuring every runner — from first to last — enjoys the same high-quality experience, we also recognise the importance of attracting the world's best athletes and nurturing local talent. To achieve that, we've built a comprehensive and meaningful Elite Athlete Programme," said Meyer. "Although the total prize money for the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is just over R1.6 million, we're investing over R4.5 million annually into the overall elite programme. That includes supporting top-tier athletes from around the world — who have many racing options — by offering them a world-class racing experience here in South Africa. "It also means ensuring a larger group of South African elites can participate, flying them in, accommodating them, and in the case of top performers, offering appearance fees. Very few events in South Africa offer a true 'Elite Athlete Programme' like this, and it's a key area where we allocate significant resources. 'When a record is broken at one of our races, it doesn't just make local headlines — it attracts global attention. That's what we're aiming for: to marry the excellence of African athletes with the excellence of our cities. That remains our long-term vision, while continuing to invest in development and the broader running community.' The next race in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is the Durban10km which takes place next Sunday. And with the legendary Stephen Mokoka out to break the world Masters record for runners aged between 40 and 49, Stillwater Sports have moved to spur the multiple Olympian on. 'When Stephen Mokoka shared his goal of breaking the record with us, we knew we wanted to support him in a meaningful way,' Meyer said. 'Stephen has been a strong supporter of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES since its inaugural event in 2015. The R100,000 incentive is our way of showing appreciation, while recognising both his ambition and his remarkable contribution to South African road running. "It would be an honour to celebrate such a monumental achievement with Stephen right here in Durban at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.' Meyer has invited Comrades Marathon champion Tete Dijana to the race and has taken care of his basic needs better than the world famous ultra ever would.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mokoka eyes Masters world record – and R100k – in Durban 10K bid
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. 'The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has always strived to create a platform for our local athletes to shine on home soil and to incentivise exceptional performances,' said Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports and Series founder. 'When Mokoka shared his goal of breaking the Masters world record earlier this year, we knew we wanted to support him in a meaningful way. 'Stephen has been a strong supporter of the series since its inaugural event in 2015. The R100 000 incentive is our way of showing appreciation, while recognising both his ambition and his remarkable contribution to South African road running. "It would be an honour to celebrate such a monumental achievement with Stephen right here in Durban, on July 13.' Mokoka has gleefully welcomed the incentive. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. 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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.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Elroy Gelant inspires Stephen Mokoka with record-breaking marathon run
CAPE TOWN - STEPHEN Mokoka has lauded Elroy Gelant as 'an inspiration' following the latter's record-breaking marathon run in Hamburg earlier this month. Mokoka had looked the most likely athlete to break Gert Thys' 2.06.33 record from 1999 and actually came within six seconds of doing so. But it was his former teammate at Boxer Athletic Club Gelant who smashed the 26-year-old mark in Hamburg a fortnight ago, the man from Pacaltsdorp in George running a 2.05.36. 'It's amazing that Elroy managed to run a 2:05 and has shown us that it can be done. He is my inspiration because I've always benchmarked at 2.06, but Elroy has changed that plan and now I must go for a 205. "Yes my goal has always been to run a 2.05 before I retire and now Elroy has inspired me to go for it. I believe lots of us will now believe we can do it.' Ahead of Sunday's Absa RUN YOUR CITY Cape Town 10k that both men will be racing alongside a stellar field of top class local and east African athletes, Mokoka was in reflective mood as the race celebrates a decade's existence. 'I've had some special runs in the series and I think I have four podium finishes – two when the race was still 12K and twice in the tens. For me, it was especially great joining the sub 28 minutes and what's been memorable is running 27 minutes in two consecutive years,' the veteran runner who has won just about every title in local road running said. 'The event (Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series) has made a positive impact and elevated road running in the country. We now no longer have to go out of the country to try to run sub 27 minutes, because now the guys are putting their foot down and committing to getting fast times. In the beginning they used to get guys from outside to come pull us through but now we see a stream of local runners dominating and hopefully it grows like that and lifts the others into running faster.' His presence in the sport has served as inspiration for many and Mokoka continues to be a role model deep into the twilight of his stellar career. He is excited by the growth of the sport and the emergence of new talent. 'It is amazing and I wish they can continue to be committed so that one day we get world class runners out of this. For me, it is amazing and a great feeling to be with these youngsters who call me malome (uncle) when we are in the hotels or in the street but on the start line they are my opponents. They are a new generation and I just enjoy the challenge they bring and with the experience I have I give my A game no matter the results. Hopefully my legs will keep on carrying me (to be competitive).' On Sunday, Mokoka will be out to have a better race in the Cape Town leg of the five city series than the one he did last year. 'This is the first one (race), hopefully I can run a 28 minutes and not a 29 like last year,' Mokoka chuckles 'I then would have had seven to eight weeks of preparations for Durban where we've been running 27:55 and now the time for the incentives is 27:40 so if I can run a good 28 here (Cape Town) I will be on to a good thing in Durban.'
