Absa has renewed its commitment as title sponsor of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES.
It’s a partnership that began in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a time when many sponsors were stepping back, Absa took a punt on the 10-kilometre road running series, which was made up, at the time, of just three events.
“Absa’s signing as title sponsor of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES in 2021 marked the beginning of exciting innovations and transformative changes for the series,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “We were immediately impressed by Absa’s energy and commitment. But we couldn’t have imagined just how impactful this partnership would be. The last few years have far exceeded our expectations. Absa’s goals align perfectly with ours: to focus on innovation, inspiration, and fun, making this the most accessible and enjoyable mass-participation road running event in Africa.”
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Since 2021, the series has not only expanded from three to five events across five major cities, but this year the series attracted an impressive, combined total of 45 589 runners, with four out of five events selling out before race day.
In 2024, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K delivered its most outstanding performances to date, with Kenya’s Christine Nalimo Njoki marking her debut on South African soil by setting the fastest 10km time ever run by a woman on the African continent, in an impressive time of 30:37.
Glenrose Xaba, finishing fourth overall and as the first South African, broke Elana Meyer’s long-standing South African 10km record (of 31:13 set in 2001) with her time of 31:12.
At the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, Xaba continued her dominance, setting a new course record of 31:51 in the women’s race. Xaba’s time also became the fastest 10km run at altitude in South Africa and ranked as the eighth-fastest ever by a South African woman on home soil.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES is a transformative movement revitalizing South Africa’s inner cities and celebrating the unique stories of every participant, from seasoned runners to casual joggers. This partnership reflects our commitment to uplifting communities and reigniting pride in our urban landscapes, while also making a tangible social impact through the R1 Campaign. In just two years, we’ve raised nearly R5 million to build vegetable gardens in schools, fostering sustainable food security and community empowerment. As we embark on the next chapter, we are excited to elevate the race experience and continue amplifying the voices of South Africans, celebrating unity, endurance, and purpose for another four years,” said Sydney Mbhele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at Absa.
