'My plan is to run a PB' - Mulaudzi targets first sub 28 at Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K

Having already clocked two sub-28-minute 10km performances, Kabelo Mulaudzi has mastered the 27 minute 10km. However, both of these impressive runs came at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Now, Mulaudzi is determined to break the sub-28 barrier for the first time in ‘The Friendly City’ as he sets his sights on a maiden podium finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 13 April 2025.

"I'm always grateful whenever I receive an invitation to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES," says Mulaudzi. "The incentives they offer motivate me to compete in every one of their races, with my goal always being a podium finish. So my plan for Gqeberha is to run a personal best (PB) and go sub-28 minutes. If I can do that, I’ll be happy."

Mulaudzi in action alongside Elroy Gelant and Precious Mashele during the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K where he ran his 27:53 lifetime best. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

The Boxer Athletics Club (AC) top runner is rightly confident as he heads to the opening Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race of 2025 in excellent form. The 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K champion who earned three Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES podium positions in 2024, ran 14:06.95 to claim the 5000m gold medal ahead of Boxer AC teammate Chris Mhlanga (14:14.05) at the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Championships on Friday 14 March. Less than 48 hours later Mulaudzi got the better of Mhlanga again to win the Motsepe Foundation’s Race to Gender Equality 10km in 30:33 on a hilly course in Johannesburg.

Finding himself injury free after a good training block, Mulaudzi believes that he is in shape to challenge his 27:53 lifetime best in what will be his Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K debut.

"My training is going well this year since I have been joined by Andries Sesedi," points out Mulaudzi. "Because I am no longer training alone where I have to push by myself, it is easier. My target was to run sub 14:10 at the CGA Champs, which would be a good indicator of my fitness. I usually run sub-28 in Durban, but this year my aim is to run my first 27 minutes

10km in Gqeberha - my first big race of the year."

Karabo Mailula in action at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in 2024. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

Also eyeing a good performance in her maiden Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K outing is Karabo Mailula. The 23-year- old University of Pretoria student enjoyed a productive 2024 which included a top ten finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in a career best 33:08. Training alongside national 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba, Mailula has grown in confidence and intends to attack the course come 13 April.

"With the kind of shape that I was in last year I could feel that sub-33 was just so close," admits Mailula. "Sub-33 is still the goal this year. It will be my first time running the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K and I heard the course is fast, flat and that good times can be achieved. My expectations are to finish the race in a good time to collect a good cheque."

Absa RYC Founder Michael Meyer says bringing South Africa's best athletes to take part in a world class race on home soil is what sets the RUN YOUR CITY SERIES apart. Photo Credit: Rogan Ward.

"It's fantastic to see top-tier elites and rising stars pushing their limits at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES. Kabelo Mulaudzi has already proven his speed with two sub-28-minute finishes, and it will be exciting to see him chase a third, this time in Gqeberha. At the same time, we are excited to see up-and-coming talent Karabo Mailula deliver a fast performance in 'The Friendly City.' We're grateful to have both athletes adding to the world-class field and wish them the best of luck on race day says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES.