Absa RUN YOUR CITY Cape Town 10K a resounding success for WPA on Mother’s Day

13 May Absa RUN YOUR CITY Cape Town 10K a resounding success for WPA on Mother’s Day

By Adnaan Mohamed

Cape Town, 11 May 2025 — Ten years ago, a spark ignited on the streets of the Mother City. A bold idea—bringing an elite, world-class 10km race to everyday South Africans—gave birth to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K.

A decade later, that spark has roared into a fire that is lighting up not just Cape Town, not just the Western Cape, but the entire African continent.

On Sunday (Mother’s Day), a sold-out field of 15,000 runners turned Cape Town into a living mural of motion and emotion, sweat and celebration. From local weekend warriors and first-timers to Olympians and continental champions, the 2025 edition of the race was more than a birthday—it was a coronation of a movement.

Absa Run My City Cape Town May 2025 by Mark Sampson

Western Province Athletics: From Roots to Rebirth

At the heart of this story is Western Province Athletics (WPA), a federation that has embraced this event as a cornerstone of its revival. For years, distance running in the region had simmered just below boiling point—brimming with talent but lacking a stage. The RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series changed that.

“This event isn’t just a race; it’s a blueprint,” says a senior WPA official. “It’s inspired clubs to grow, schools to care about cross country again, and communities to rally around sport. It’s not just helping elite athletes—it’s energising the entire ecosystem.”

The impact can be seen across age groups and demographics. The race offers R70,000 in age category prizes across juniors and veterans, elevating the importance of development and lifelong participation. Kids now grow up idolising runners in vests rather than jerseys.

Elite Dreams, Local Roots

For athletes like Adriaan and Nadeel Wildschutt, Elroy Gelant, and rising stars like Edward Jack, this series has been a game-changer. It has created a domestic space where South Africans can run fast, be seen, and earn real money—all without leaving home soil.

Adriaan Wildschutt, fresh off setting a new SA 10km record of  27:28 in Gqeberha, was forged on the farm roads of Ceres in the Western Cape before moving onto the NCAA and global scene. Yet, the RUN YOUR CITY Series remains a key pillar in his competitive calendar. “You don’t forget where you’re from. Racing in front of your people, in a place that believes in you—it’s different,” Adriaan said after his Gqeberha win.

His brother Nadeel, now building his own name in the sport, sees these races as a launchpad.

“Not every athlete has the resources to race in Europe. But these events give us world-class opportunities at home.”

Brothers in Arms – Adriaan and Nadeel Wildschutt have benefitted from the Absa RUN YOUR CITY series Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

Meanwhile, Edward Jack, a relative newcomer from the Cape Flats from the TymeBank Langa Athletic Club, was inspired by simply watching the elites fly by during his first RUN YOUR CITY race. Two years later, he’s among the top youngsters in the province, chasing that 30-minute barrier.

And then there’s Elroy Gelant (39), the veteran Olympian and current SA Marathon record holder of 2:05:36 set two weeks ago in Hamburg. Gelant has competed in almost every edition of the series

“To still have a race in South Africa that excites me as much as those overseas races—this is something special,” he said. “You know it’s fast, you know the field will be deep, and you know people will show up.”

15,000 Strong and Striding: A People’s Race

While the elites battle for R200,000 time bonuses and national records, the true magic unfolds behind them. 15,000 local runners—teachers, students, nurses, moms, pensioners—ran for personal bests, for causes, for the sheer joy of being part of something bigger than themselves.

For many, the RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K has become an annual ritual—training through long winter mornings, telling friends “this year I’ll break 60 minutes,” and making memories that last longer than medals.

Participants from historically underrepresented communities now have a place on the start line—and a reason to lace up. Initiatives like Team Absa Walk Run on Strava, charity tie-ins with CANSA, and community pop-ups have taken this event far beyond the elite-only focus.

Cape Town: The beating heart of the series

As the birthplace of the series, Cape Town has worn the crown with pride. The race has redefined what’s possible in city-based racing—shutting down streets, packing the Sea Point promenade with cheering crowds, and turning a simple 10K into a spectacle.

“This is our home,” said Michael Meyer, Series Founder and Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “And to celebrate our 10th anniversary here, with these performances, this crowd—it feels poetic.”

Kabelo Muluadzi by Mark Sampson

Kabelo Mulaudzi and Glenrose Xaba stole the show with their dominant wins and Mother’s Day dedications, but the streets themselves felt like the star. There’s a rhythm to Cape Town on race day—a heartbeat echoing off Table Mountain, pulsing through from the 09:00 start in Woodbridge Island in Milnerton through the heart of the Mother City and the finish in Lower Long Street.

A Legacy in Motion

Ten years ago, the vision was simple: make road running exciting, fast, inclusive, and South African. Today, the legacy is anything but simple—it’s sprawling and profound.

It’s in the young boy from Mitchells Plain who now believes he can be the next Elroy Gelant.
It’s in the woman who beat cancer and crosses the finish line with tears and triumph.
It’s in every early morning jogger on the Sea Point track inspired to run just one more kilometre.

As the series heads next to Durban, Tshwane, and Joburg, the story continues. But Cape Town—home of the inaugural event—remains its beating heart. And as the sun set on another unforgettable Mother City Sunday, one thing was clear:

This isn’t just running. It’s revolution.

2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES – Elite Race Results So Far

For More Information

• Website: www.runyourcityseries.com
• Instagram/Facebook: @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Joburg10k / @Tshwane10k / @Gqeberha10k
• Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
• WhatsApp Press Line: 072 042 7613

At the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K, the city is your stage. The race is your story. And the finish line is just the beginning.

RESULTS: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K

ELITE MEN

1 Kabelo Muluadzi (RSA) 00:27:49, 2 Kamohelo Mofolo (Lesotho) 00:27:53, 3 Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 00:28:06, 4 Elroy Gelant (RSA) 00:28:08, 5 Rodgers Murei (Kenya) 00:28:10, 6 Chris Mhlanga (RSA) 00:28:17, 7 Bennett Seloyi (RSA) 00:28:19, 8 Bongelani Mkhwanazi (RSA) 00:28:21, 9 Nadeel Wildschutt (RSA) 00:28:24, 10 Linus Loitareng (Kenya) 00:28:26

ELITE WOMEN

1 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 00:32:00, 2 Selam Gebre (Ethiopia) 00:32:13, 3 Lebo Phalula (RSA) 00:32:50, 4 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 00:32:55, 5 Monica Jeptarus (Kenya) 00:32:57, 6 Tayla Kavanagh (RSA) 00:33:01, 7 Karabo More (RSA) 00:33:29, 8 Cacisile Sosibo (RSA) 00:33:31, 9 Karabo Mailula (RSA) 00:33:36, 10 Olga Firsova (Australia) 00:33:47

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS: Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K