Ugandan distance star dominates men’s race while Kenya’s Doreen Cherop secures a surprise women’s title in world-class road running showcase
Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s greatest distance runners with a commanding victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, producing one of the fastest 10km road performances ever seen on South African soil.
The Ugandan superstar crossed the finish line in an impressive 27:19, narrowly missing the South African All-Comers record of 27:16 that he set at the same event in 2018. His winning time stands as the second-fastest ever recorded in South Africa and underlined his dominance over a quality international field.
Current world record holder over both the 5,000m and 10,000m, Cheptegei wasted little time asserting himself. After passing the halfway mark in 13:48, he increased the pace over the second half of the race to pull clear of his rivals and secure a convincing victory.
“The race was really good. I enjoyed running here in Durban,” said Cheptegei after the race.
“I decided to be a bit more aggressive after 5km because I saw that we were not very fast and I wanted to run a fast time. Maybe next time we can have more pacemakers for the men to build the first half tempo a bit more so we can run the second half in a controlled way. For me to come and win is exciting and gives me motivation to move on to my next goal.”
Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) secures gold in the Men’s Elite Race in 27:19 at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Grote
Kenya’s Salem Kibet finished second in 27:29, with Emmanuel Kibet claiming third in 27:32. South Africa’s Kabelo Mulaudzi produced a strong performance to finish sixth in 28:06 as the leading local athlete.
Although he narrowly missed improving his own All-Comers record, Cheptegei praised the atmosphere in Durban and encouraged more elite athletes to experience the race.
“It’s really an incredible atmosphere. Coming here and seeing all the fans was spectacular. For anyone who has never run here, they should reconsider running on South African soil,” he said.
The women’s race delivered one of the biggest surprises of the day as Kenya’s Doreen Cherop produced a breakthrough performance to claim victory in a personal best time of 30:43.
Cherop surged past pre-race favourite Brenda Jepchirchir inside the closing stages to seal an unexpected win after targeting only a podium finish. Jepchirchir crossed the line second in 30:52, while 3,000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech completed an all-Kenyan podium in 31:25.
Doreen Cherop (Kenya) claims gold in the elite women’s race in a time of 30:43 at the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. PHOTO CREDIT: Rajesh Jantilal
South Africa’s Tayla Kavanagh continued her impressive 2026 campaign with an excellent fourth-place finish in 31:28, missing her personal best by just two seconds.
“The weather was great and the last five kilometres were very fast. I’m happy to win the race, especially because my target was just to be on the podium,” said Cherop.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director and Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series founder Michael Meyer hailed the elite performances and the contribution of thousands of participants.
“What we witnessed on the streets of Durban today was nothing short of extraordinary,” Meyer said.
“Joshua Cheptegei once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of his generation with a truly world-class performance, while Doreen Cherop delivered a sensational run. Performances of this calibre inspire athletes, excite fans and continue to elevate the standard of road running in South Africa.”
Meyer also praised the wider running community for helping create another memorable edition of the race.
“Equally inspiring was the incredible support from every runner who took to the streets today. Whether chasing a personal best, running for a cause or simply embracing the electric atmosphere, every participant played a part in making this event so special. Together, we continue to showcase the very best of South African road running while inspiring the next generation of athletes to dream even bigger.”
Absa’s Head of Sponsorships, Jabulile Nsibanyoni, congratulated all participants and highlighted the diverse motivations that brought thousands of runners to Durban.
“Well done to all who participated in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K and joined Team Absa Walk Run on Strava. A huge congratulations to all the winners. It was inspiring to see so many people taking to the streets, with many different reasons for running and pushing themselves to achieve their individual goals,” she said.
“Your stories have inspired us all, and we are immensely grateful for your contributions to the race in 2026. Thank you to our colleagues, volunteers, partner sponsors and organisers who made this another memorable race.”