ABSA commits to continuing as RUN YOUR CITY 10K SERIES title sponsor

Absa has renewed its commitment as Title Sponsor of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, a partnership that began in 2021 during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. At a time when many sponsors were stepping back, Absa took a bold step forward, partnering with the series to expand South Africa's premier 10km road running events from three to five cities. This collaboration has attracted top-tier elite athletes and lifestyle runners alike, uniting communities across the country's major metros.

The Popular Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is set to continue exciting runners throughout the country for the next year after sponsors Absa renewed their commitment as title sponsor.

So brace yourself for more record-breaking runs next year at the popular 10km series run in five of the country’s biggest cities.

Announcing the renewal, series founder Michael Meyer who is the Managing Director of Stillwater Sports reflected on Absa’s decision to partner with them at a time when most corporations were running away from sports during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.

Seen here at the official signing of the contract at the Absa offices in Sandton on Wednesday 27 November 2024 (from left to right): Michael Meyer (Managing Director of Stillwater Sports), Sydney Mbhele (Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at Absa), Jabulile Nsibanyoni (Head of Sponsorships, Brand, and Marketing at Absa), Dezroy Poole (Director of Stillwater Sports), Candice Thurston (Managing Executive: Absa Brand and Marketing) and George Marx (Commercial Manager Stillwater Sports). PHOTO CREDIT: Pholisa Ngqameni / Stillwater Sports

“We are thrilled that Absa has renewed their partnership, and we look forward to continuing this journey, establishing the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES as the most accessible and exciting mass-participation 10km road running series in Africa. Absa’s signing as Title Sponsor of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES in 2021 marked the beginning of exciting innovations and transformative changes for the series. We were immediately impressed by Absa’s energy and commitment. But we couldn’t have imagined just how impactful this partnership would be. The last few years have far exceeded our expectations. Absa’s goals align perfectly with ours: to focus on innovation, inspiration, and fun, making this the most accessible and enjoyable mass-participation road running event in Africa.”

During this year’s series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K delivered its most outstanding performances to date, with Kenya’s Christine Nalimo Njoki marking her debut on South African soil by setting the fastest 10km time ever run by a woman on the African continent, in an impressive time of 30:37.

Glenrose Xaba, finishing fourth overall and as the first South African, broke Elana Meyer’s long-standing South African 10km record (of 31:13 set in 2001) with her time of 31:12 while Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala set a the tiny mountain kingdom’s 10km women’s record with a time of 32:01.

View the full list of Durban highlights here: https://runyourcityseries.com/records-shattered-2024-absa-run-your-city-durban-10k-full-statistics-revealed/

Xaba, who had an incredible 2024 season, then set a new course record of 31:51 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. Her time also became the fastest 10km run at altitude in South Africa and ranked as the eighth-fastest ever by a South African woman on home soil.

“In addition to record-breaking participation and sell-out fields, the ongoing rise in elite performances—both local and international—within the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES highlights the consistent improvement in competition standards year after year. Our vision has always been to provide South African elites with the opportunity to compete against the world’s best athletes in world-class events on home soil. The results speak for themselves,” Meyer chimed.

Since 2021, the series has not only expanded from three to five events across five major cities, but this year (2024) the series attracted an impressive, combined total of 45 589 runners, with four out of five events selling out before race day.

The series also boasts innovative offerings, such as giving away five Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT vehicles, valued at over R279 000 each (a combined value of more than R1.3 million). Notably, an impressive total of R182 340 was raised for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES charity partner, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

Seen here: Thousands of runners enjoying the action of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES in 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Charles Ndou

“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is a transformative movement revitalizing South Africa’s inner cities and celebrating the unique stories of every participant, from seasoned runners to casual joggers. This partnership reflects our commitment to uplifting communities and reigniting pride in our urban landscapes, while also making a tangible social impact through the R1 Campaign. In just two years, we’ve raised nearly R5 million to build vegetable gardens in schools, fostering sustainable food security and community empowerment. As we embark on the next chapter, we are excited to elevate the race experience and continue amplifying the voices of South Africans, celebrating unity, endurance, and purpose for another four years,” says Sydney Mbhele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at Absa.

The dates for next year’s Series have already been set and runners can thus start planning.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES 2025 dates:

1. Sunday 13 April 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K

2. Sunday 11 May 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K

3. Sunday 13 July 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

4. Sunday 24 August 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K

5. Wednesday 24 September 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K