Maisa eyes Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K after cross country success

Image: Action Photo

Following a breakthrough performance that saw her claim a maiden top five finish in the senior women’s 10km event at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships this past weekend, Zanele Maisa has set her sights on making a strong impact on the elite women’s field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Wednesday 24 September 2025 (National Heritage Day).

In what has been the best season of her senior career, Maisa switched from shorter distances to the 10km and the decision is beginning to bear fruit. After finishing as the runner-up behind Cacisile Sosibo at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Cross Country Championships on 16 August, the Waterfall Athletics Club ace delivered an eye-catching fifth place at the national cross country champs in Middelburg on Saturday 6 September, to announce herself as the latest member of the country’s 10km elite female ranks.

“So far so good,” she said. I’m trying. I had been focusing on 1 mile races and then I decided to give 10km a try, just to see how far I can go. It is my first season running the 10km event at cross country and it wasn’t bad at all. But I must admit that it wasn’t easy chasing the best athletes.”

This weekend’s result justifies the 29-year-old’s decision to give her running career a second try. Maisa who calls the Ekurhuleni township of Kwa-Thema home, had been a promising school athlete, but the pressures of trying to make a living saw her hang up her running shoes before deciding to make a comeback.

“It’s all about the love of the sport. What motivated me to try again is seeing some of the athletes that I used to run with at school level improving. That encouraged me. My sister is also always motivating me.  It showed me that I can also do this because I used to run with them at school level. Anything is possible. Nothing is too difficult. I can still do this. It’s not too late.”

Armed with a positive mindset and an encouraging thirteenth place finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 24 August where she clocked 36:31, coach Thabo Moeketsi’s charge intends to go all out at the final Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race of the year on national Heritage Day.

“I changed my coach and we focused a bit more on speed, while preparing to race the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. The programme has completely changed as the goal has been to get better over 10km as I’m hoping to be one of the top girls running around 33 minutes. I’m hoping for the best. I think the least I can do is to chase them and see how long I can stick with them. I think that mindset can lead me to run a good time and get a good position,” Maisa adds.

"It’s always exciting to welcome fresh talent into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, and Zanele Maisa has certainly made her presence felt with a fantastic run in Tshwane,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “We look foreward to welcoming her to the start line in Joburg and can’t wait to see what she delivers on race day. We wish Maisa all the best as she continues to grow and make her mark in the sport."

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.