Two more cities added as Absa RYC includes Gqeberha and Tshwane in 2023
Having rocked the local 10km running scene by bringing world record holders, paying handsome cash incentives for South African athletes and brought together thousands of runners and walkers - the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES was probably the most successful 10km mass participation series of the 2022 athletics calendar. Buoyed by that success as participants call for the anti to be upped in 2023, organisers have announced the addition of two more cities to join Cape Town, Durban and Joburg making next year's edition a 5-city stop.
"We are thrilled to welcome Gqeberha and Tshwane as host cities of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2023,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “Growing the series from three to five events is no small feat and would not have been possible without the support of our Title Sponsor, Absa who has been a driving force since we welcomed them onboard in 2021 and other key sponsors such as PUMA, DHL and Chery to mention just a few. Another important factor that should not be overlooked are the relationships that we have with each host city. Each city has contributed immensely to the success of the Cape Town, Durban and Joburg events, and ultimately the series. We are excited to work with Gqeberha and Tshwane, to further grow the status of the series.”
Having signed on as the title sponsor in 2021, Absa showed immense commitment to sponsor a mass participation event amid a pandemic wherein road running in particular had been identified as public enemy number one. Absa Chief Executive Product Solutions explains that returning to athletics after being involved in track and field in the early 2000's, was based on a desire to use the series as an opportunity for people to touch and feel their brand like never before.
"We believe that everyone should have access to all our sponsorships. When we came onboard as a sponsor of the biggest mass participation event in the country, our key objective was to get the country moving in the right direction, and help our communities and colleagues to aspire to change their lives and that of their community for the better. We recognise that now more than ever, we need to play an even greater role in bringing the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series closer to the people,” he said.
Ultimately though, none of this would have been possible without the significant backing of a new Athletics South Africa (ASA) leadership that championed the return of safe events when it was installed in May 2021. ASA President James Moloi says supporting the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is a no brainer because it aligns with their own programmes which are also determined by input from World Athletics.
"World Athletics told us that we must encourage mass participation and encourage short distances. So I think by organising these events it helps us because we can even go back to World Athletics and show them that we are doing something good. These shorter distances also helps our athletes, especially those who are running 5 000m and 10 000m. We are very excited because it makes our lives very easy. We just want to thank Absa. They should continue with the good work," he smiled.
EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
Sunday 02 April 2023 - Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Sunday 14 May 2023 - Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Sunday 09 July 2023 - Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Sunday 27 August 2023 - Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Sunday 24 September 2023 - Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
ENTRIES for ALL FIVE events will open on Monday 05 December 2022. Click HERE to enter.
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