The streets of Joburg’s inner city pulsed with palpable energy as thousands of runners and walkers celebrated Heritage Day by participating in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Wednesday, 24 September. The annual race, which started at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, transformed the city’s urban core into a vibrant tapestry of colour and passion, with participants of all ages braving the cloudy weather to showcase their resilience and community spirit.
Member of the Mayoral Committee [MMC] for Community Development, Cllr Tebogo Nkonkou, lauded the event for both showcasing Joburg’s iconic landmarks and highlighting the ongoing revitalisation work of the Inner-City Partnership Forum. The initiative aims to position Joburg’s inner city as a thriving hub of investment, culture, and recreation.
Now in its fourth year, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K has firmly cemented its place as a flagship event on South Africa’s athletics calendar, drawing elite international athletes, local champions, and lifestyle runners. With an impressive 15,000 participants, this year’s event saw a significant increase from 13,500 in 2024, solidifying its position as the country’s largest 10km race.
The circuitous route offered a unique perspective of the city’s character, guiding participants through iconic landmarks and precincts like Newtown, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, Braamfontein, and Marshalltown.
“The race augments social cohesion by bringing people to the central business district and helps restore the inner city to its former glory,” said Cllr Nkonkou, applauding the organisers and participants for their commitment to Johannesburg.
In the competitive men’s race, Kabelo Mulaudzi of South Africa claimed victory with a time of 28 minutes and 39 seconds, while fellow South African Karabo Mailula triumphed in the women’s category, finishing in 33 minutes and 44 seconds.
For many, the event was about more than just competition. Nontobeko Mavundla, a 53-year-old who completed the race for the third time, expressed her delight.
“I enjoy this race so much because it allows us to explore Joburg while walking the very streets we usually drive on. We love our inner city, and we hope the City continues to create opportunities to make it great again.”
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K celebrates unity, heritage, and progress that supports the City of Johannesburg’s broader vision of creating a safe, inclusive, and dynamic space for all.
Written by Dudu Lushaba