Seloyi eyes maiden RUN YOUR CITY SERIES podium at Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K

Image: Action Photo

After securing a strong fourth-place finish at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km, just a week after placing sixth at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, Bennet Seloyi is brimming with confidence. He now has his sights set on earning his first-ever Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES podium when he takes to the start line of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day, Wednesday 24 September 2025.

“When I run a tough course, it builds me in such a way that when I go and run a flat course, I feel lighter,” Seloyi said reflecting on his sixth position on the hilly course in the nation’s capital which set him up for his 28:29 clocking in Durban on 30 August.

2025 has been the best season of the Boxer Athletics Club ace’s fledgling career as he improved on his 10km best twice and dipped under 29 minutes for the first time. Seloyi ran a lifetime best 28:12 for eighth position at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 13 July finishing ahead of the likes of Stephen Mokoka, Thabang Mosiako and Namakoe Nkhasi. He says he owes this season’s success to his coach Best Ngwenya and training partners at the United Training Club in Kempton Park.

”My coach has emphasised the importance of running 10km races so that it can boost my speed before I race a marathon,” explained the reigning SA Marathon Champion who holds a 42,2km personal best of 2:17:11 set at last year’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. “The plan is to run a personal best over the marathon this year, which I’ll start working towards after the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K.”

Having delivered on his promise to make his first year running for a professional club memorable by producing his first 28 minute 10km, the 24-year-old has one more milestone to achieve before the season’s end - a maiden podium finish in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. The Thembisan believes that it’s possible in The City of Gold on National Heritage Day because this 10km race is run on a demanding course at over 1600m above sea level, which favours strength-based athletes like himself.

“I have my eye on the top three, although nothing is guaranteed because it’s ultimately up to the body. But that is my aim because I’ve run all of these Absa races and got top ten finishes so I need a top three. That’s what I’ll be trying for. I can’t fail. I must force it.”

Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder says, “It’s truly spectacular to witness Bennet Seloyi’s growth within the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. Not only is he improving his personal bests at our events, but it’s inspiring to hear him acknowledge that his progress is directly linked to his participation in the Series. We love that he has set his sights on the podium, and we wish him all the best as he takes on the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on National Heritage Day.”

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/