All eyes on Durban as Glenrose Xaba and Shadrack Hoff chase records at Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

Image: Tobias Ginsberg

Having already dipped under 32 minutes twice this year, Glenrose Xaba will be aiming for her fastest time of the season - while keeping an eye on her own South African record - when she lines up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday, 13 July 2025. Ethiopia’s Debash Desta will also be one to watch as she attempts to break the 31-minute barrier for only the second time in her career. In the men’s race, the legendary Shadrack Hoff has the chance to become the fastest 50-year-old South African man over 10km - if he can dip under the 31:03 mark.

As one of South Africa’s busiest athletes, Xaba has had to endure a demanding 2025 schedule. In addition to winning national titles over 5000m and 10 000m, the Boxer Athletics Club star has been a regular fixture on the local 10km racing circuit, producing wins at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (32:00) and the Durban leg of the SPAR Grand Prix (31:54), while taking third at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (31:56).

“Consistency, determination and discipline is the only key,” Xaba explained when asked how she keeps on churning out world class times month after month. “The body is feeling ok since I prepared it from the beginning of the season because I knew that it would have a lot of races.”

Lining up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on Sunday 13 July, SA’s fastest marathon (2:22:22) and 10km (31:12) athlete of all time will have her sights set on repeating the performance she produced last year to take fourth position and better Olympic 10 000m silver medalist Elana Meyer’s 23-year-old national record. Xaba knows that the sold out event is an opportunity to collect valuable ranking points as she tries to qualify for the 5000m or 10000m at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

“Yes. That’s the plan,” was her response to questions about the possibility of setting a new SA Record. “I want to write my own history and follow in the footsteps of Elana Meyer, Poppy Mlambo and Namibia’s Helalia Johannes by becoming one of South Africa’s best.”

But with Kenya’s Jesca Chelangat and Ethiopia’s Debash Desta confirmed to participate, the 30-year-old will have her work cut out for her if she is to finish as the best. Desta is the holder of a 30:58 personal best and ran 31:00 to claim second place at the same event last year. She is determined to give a good account of herself come Sunday. 

“The season is going well. I’m moving towards more half marathons but I always enjoy the 10km races,” says Desta. “My preparations went well and I worked very hard in training because I know it will be a fast race because conditions in Durban are always good and it is a beautiful course. The aim is to always finish on the podium, and I will be happy if I can get a new PB.”

Also aiming to take advantage of the conditions is the legendary Shadrack Hoff. Now 52 years old, the former SA 5000m record holder could become the fastest 50-year-old South African man to run 10km if he can eclipse the 31:03 run by Johannes Kekana at the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Having spent some time training with Elroy Gelant’s group in Potchefstroom, Hoff believes that he is in sub 31 minute shape.

“Having athletes of the calibre of Glenrose Xaba, Debash Desta and Shadrack Hoff in the lineup truly elevates the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “When runners of this standard toe the line, there’s always the real possibility of records falling - and that brings a special kind of energy and anticipation to race day. It’s an honour to host these incredible athletes, and there’s a great sense of pride when new benchmarks are set on South African soil. We wish Glenrose, Debash and Shadrack all the very best for Sunday – we’re excited to witness what they can deliver.” 

CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES proudly supports the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA. 

Prize Purse: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES boasts an impressive, combined prize purse of R1 610 000.00 in 2025. Each of the five events will feature a total prize allocation of R322 000. Of this, R252 000.00 will be dedicated to the Open Category, with R126 000.00 awarded to the Top 10 Open Men and R126 000.00 to the Top 10 Open Women. The top male and female finishers in each city will receive R30 000.00 each, with R25 000.00 going to second-place finishers and R20 000.00 to third-place finishers. 

Additionally, R70 000.00 will be allocated to Age Categories. The Age Category prize pool will reward the top three finishers in the Junior, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ age groups."

South African Athlete Incentives: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES also has an unprecedented “SA Athlete Prize Incentive Schedule” for 2025. Applying to all five races, the incentive schedule offers bonuses for exceptional performances. In the men’s category, bonuses will start for times faster than 28 minutes, with a substantial R200 000.00 bonus for breaking the 27-minute barrier. For women, bonuses begin for times faster than 32:08 minutes, with an impressive R200 000.00 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). It is important to note that the R50 000.00 will be awarded to the fastest time.

To view the 2025 Prize Purse Breakdown and SA Athlete Incentive Schedule, visit https://runyourcityseries.com/