Ultramarathon Edward Mothibi sets sights on Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K Top 10

Image: Action Photo

Five-time Comrades Marathon gold medallist Edward Mothibi is looking forward to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. He describes the race as one of the highlights of his year, using it as a crucial speed test before shifting his focus to preparations for the upcoming ultramarathon season.

Mothibi, who has earned two consecutive top ten finishes against 10km and 21km specialists at the annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES season finale in Joburg, is positive about delivering another striking performance on National Heritage Day. 

“I think by that time it’s September so the body has rested enough after Comrades. I hope that even this year, my body will respond accordingly because that’s the last race where I want to run well before starting the build up to Comrades again,” says Mothibi.

By finishing just outside the top ten during Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km, the 2019 Comrades Marathon champion, who ran 31:02 for eleventh position, demonstrated that the modern ultramarathoner must be armed with speed as well as endurance. After taking fourth position at The Ultimate Human Race in June, Mothibi emphasizes that incorporating 10km races plays an essential role in his post-Comrades recovery.

“The body is recovering well, which I can see by the way I’m running my speed sessions. After Comrades I just wanted to try and concentrate on my speed to build it up because the age is also catching up with me. So it’s best that I do more 10km and 21km races.”

The 40-year-old Rustenburg-based athlete who grabbed fifth position at the 2023 edition of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will be a threat once again after showing both speed and strength to win the very hilly Kyalami Corner Midrand Striders Half Marathon in 1:08:53. 

“Maybe I have an advantage as well because it is a hilly course and Rustenburg has a lot of hills. I also think I’ve got the luck of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. I hope that luck continues.”

“It’s fantastic to have Edward Mothibi line up and perform so well at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Edward is a world-class athlete that has proven to possess both endurance and speed, and what better way to sharpen that speed than by racing in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. His participation highlights the Series’ ability to attract and challenge athletes across all distances, from 10km specialists to marathon champions. We wish Edward the very best of luck come race day and look forward to witnessing another exceptional performance.”

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.