Mulaudzi eyes sixth consecutive RYC podium - and possibly SA Record - at Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K

Image: Action Photo

Kabelo Mulaudzi has maintained an impressive podium streak in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES since July 2024, and he’ll be looking to extend that run with a sixth consecutive top-three finish when he lines up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K this coming Sunday, 13 July 2025.

“I had a freak injury last year caused by racing on an extremely hilly course at the SA 10km Champs. Since then I have focused on mainly training at a moderate pace but at reasonably high volumes, doing lots of strength work and selecting my races carefully, focusing on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, to avoid injury,” said Mulaudzi when asked about the secret to his incredible consistency.

Of those five consecutive podium placings, the Boxer Athletics Club ace counts his 27:49 personal best to win the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 11 May amongst the best performances of his career, second only to producing his maiden sub 28 minute clocking (27:56) to win the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. 

“My coach and I thought I would run 28:15 but I think the fact that I had a cold took pressure off me and I felt good. My coach did not even watch the race and he had a happy surprise when Rhyn Swanepoel of my club Boxer called him to say I had won and broken 28 minutes - it was a 35 second PB for me!”

The 27-year-old, who trains alongside 2022 SA 10km champion Andries Sesedi under the watchful eye of coach Richard Mayer, will carry those energising memories into this weekend’s race as he plans to run faster than ever before. But with the likes of Kenya’s Vincent Kipkorir, who is the fastest athlete in the field (27:08), defending champion Elroy Gelant who ran 27:47 to win last year and Stephen Mokoka who has his sights set on running below 27:48 to produce a new Masters World Record, Mr Podium, as Mulaudzi is affectionately known, knows that he may have to run a new SA 10km Record (27:28) in order to win the race.

“I don't like to put myself under pressure with predictions about times and records but my training has gone well and I am in good shape. I always run well in Durban, so I am aiming first and foremost for a personal best time.  I welcome the competition of the Kenyans and I respect them. I hope that I and my fellow South Africans can show the East African runners that we can also run fast 10km times and that the winner can be a South African.  I promise that whatever happens in Durban, I will give it my best.”

“Kabelo Mulaudzi has been one of the most consistent and exciting performers in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, with five consecutive podium finishes - an incredible achievement at this level of competition,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. “He’s shown remarkable form and we’ll all be watching with great anticipation to see if he can make it six in a row in Durban. With the depth of talent on the start line and the energy this race brings, anything is possible - even a new South African record. It would be absolutely fantastic to see Kabelo break the SA record on our stage - it would be another proud and historic moment for the series and South African road running.”

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/