Over R1,5m up for grabs in 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
Perhaps it was Elroy Gelant who said it best when he emphasised the impact made by the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in lifting the standard of middle and long distance road running in South Africa. Moments after finishing second behind the late Mbuleli Mathanga at last year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, the veteran top runner weighed on how local athletes have improved since the series started inviting the best East Africans to race in South Africa, while paying good incentives for fast times.
"You can see the importance of the Absa 10K's" he told #TheTopRunner while catching his breath moment after completing the 21km race in 1:04:05. "I think Thabang ran a 27:52 in PE and the guy from Zim (Wellington Varevi) ran 28:07. They were driving the pace because of the leg speed they gained as well as the confidence they took from the Absa races. It shows the importance of the shorter races going into the longer races."
And even though he had a glittering career behind him with two Olympic appearances and two national records (5000m outdoor and 3000m indoor), the then 36-year-old vowed to join the sub 28 minute 10km club. Although he fell short, Gelant clocked 28:04 for second place at the Hollywoodbets Durban Summer 10k last September as 27-minute man Kabelo Mulaudzi won in 28:01. That was to be the foundation of a new 21km lifetime best at the World Half Marathon Championships just over a month later and a new marathon personal best and possible Olympic qualification at the Sevilla Marathon Sunday.
It all began with the impetus that the Absa RYC injected into the sport particularly since 2021. The founder of the series and Managing Director of Stillwater Sports Michael Meyer says 2024 will be now different. Yesterday they announced that this year’s series will boast an impressive, combined Prize Purse of R 1,560,000.00. Each of the five events will feature a total prize purse of R312,000 where the top male and female finishers in each city will be awarded R30,000 each, with R25,000 going to the second-place finishers and R20,000 to the third-place finishers.
"Each event will showcase a spectacular route, highlighting the splendour of its host city and offering fierce competition as South Africa's elites take on the world's top athletes. By providing a substantial prize purse, we aim to inspire athletes to arrive fully prepared and determined to give their best performance on race day. We are proud to be able to recognize and reward these athletes for their dedication and support. Witnessing world-class performances on home soil is always a thrill, and we can’t wait to get the 2024 season underway starting with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 7 April."
EVENT INFORMATION: 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
1. Sunday 07 April 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
2. Sunday 12 May 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
3. Sunday 07 July 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
4. Sunday 25 August 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
5. Tuesday 24 September 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
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