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Absa Run Your City
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series returned in 2025 as South Africa's most electrifying mass-participation road running spectacle, blending world-class elite racing with inclusive fun for runners and walkers of all levels. Since its launch in 2015, this proudly South African initiative has transformed city streets into vibrant arenas of achievement, community spirit and celebration. Spanning five iconic cities, the series showcases each destination's unique landmarks, rhythms and energy while raising vital funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) – the official charity partner for the second consecutive year.
In 2025, participants collectively clocked thousands of kilometres, with Absa donating R1 for every one run to support CANSA's life-saving programmes in cancer prevention, awareness and patient care. Whether you're an elite athlete chasing personal bests or a casual jogger soaking up the atmosphere, these events deliver non-stop entertainment: live performances by local artists, refreshment stations, sponsor activations and finisher's medals that capture the triumph.
As the season builds towards the Joburg finale on 24 September 2025, relive the magic from the completed races in Gqeberha, Cape Town, Durban and Tshwane. From record-shattering sprints to heartfelt shoutouts, here's how South Africans #RanTheirCity.
Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10k
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, 13 April 2025
Start/Finish: Beach Road, Humewood, Gqeberha
Route: A flat, fast 10km loop hugging the coastline, weaving past golden beaches, historic boardwalks and the Addo Elephant National Park gateway – all under the Eastern Cape sun, with ocean breezes and upbeat local beats fuelling every stride.
Race Highlights
Gqeberha set the tone for the 2025 series with barrier-breaking speed and infectious energy. Thousands flooded the streets, dancing to performances by Eastern Cape's top artists and cheering amid sponsor zones bursting with giveaways. The event's "record-smashing" reputation held true, drawing elite fields and mass starters alike for a morning of pure adrenaline.
What a blistering start to the season in Gqeberha! Thousands united on the sun-kissed streets for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, where the Bay's legendary swag met world-class pace. From the electric start at Humewood Beach to the triumphant finish amid cheering crowds, runners danced, sprinted and celebrated through iconic spots like Kings Beach Promenade.
Thank you, Gqeberha, for your rhythm and resilience – your energy lit up the coast, and every hard-earned kilometre ensures R1 heads straight to CANSA, funding vital screenings and support for families facing cancer. A massive nod to the local legends who turned this into a festival of fitness and fortitude.
Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10k
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, 11 May 2025
Start: Woodbridge Island, Milnerton
Finish: Lower Long Street, Cape Town CBD
Route: A scenic point-to-point 10km dash along the Atlantic Seaboard, skirting Milnerton Lagoon, past Green Point Stadium and into the heart of the Mother City – flat, fast and framed by majestic Table Mountain views.
Race Highlights
Marking the series' 10th anniversary in the Cape, this edition pulsed with Mother City magic: shuttle buses from the V&A Waterfront, live jazz infusions from Cape Town's finest performers, and a sea of runners high-fiving along the promenade. Elite battles thrilled, while families and first-timers revelled in the inclusive vibe.
Cape Town's runners amplified CANSA's reach, with Strava challenges and on-site fundraising pushing the R1-per-km pledge further. Survivors shared stories at the expo, turning every step into a statement against cancer.
Cape Town, you owned the Mother City stride! Thousands converged for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K, blending elite showdowns with the laid-back charm of a seaside jog. From the breezy start in Milnerton to the electric finish in Long Street, participants soaked up coastal panoramas, grooved to live tunes and crossed the line as champions.
Gratitude to every pacer and cheer squad – your vibes elevated the city, and those kilometres? They're translating to R1 donations per run for CANSA, bolstering awareness and care right here in the Cape.
Absa Run Your City Durban 10k
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, 13 July 2025
Start/Finish: Suncoast Casino Precinct, Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, Durban
Route: A lively 10km circuit through Durban's golden mile, featuring beachfront esplanades, Marine Parade vibes and fresh Indian Ocean gusts – complete with drum majorettes and coastal carnival energy.
Race Highlights
Durban delivered fireworks on African soil, with records tumbling and barriers breaking amid the summer heat. Mass fields mixed with pros under the balmy skies, refreshed by two aid stations and Durban's signature hospitality – think Zulu rhythms and sponsor surprises at every turn.
The Durban dash swelled CANSA's coffers, with participants' kilometres fuelling donations for KZN's cancer fighters. Beachside activations encouraged fundraising pledges, making every lap a legacy.
Durban, you brought the heat and the heart to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K! Thousands stormed the promenade, running, dancing and conquering 10km of beachfront bliss from Suncoast to the sea's edge. Elite fireworks lit the skyline, while everyday heroes high-fived through the humidity, powered by local beats and ocean spray.
A huge thank you for that unbreakable spirit – your efforts mean R1 per kilometre supports CANSA, turning sweat into hope for cancer patients across eThekwini. From record chasers to family pacers, you made the Bay roar.
Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, 24 August 2025
Start/Finish: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane
Route: A jacaranda-lined 10km loop through the administrative capital, passing Union Buildings vistas, botanical gardens and urban buzz – alive with Tshwane's cultural performers and heritage nods.
Race Highlights
Tshwane painted its streets red with passion as the series hit the Jacaranda City. A historic photo finish capped the drama, with non-stop entertainment from Afrobeat groups and expo vibes drawing record crowds for this heritage-infused romp.
Closing Women's Month in style, Tshwane's runners amplified CANSA donations, honouring female trailblazers while pledging kilometres to survivor support. The event's timing sparked nationwide conversations on health and resilience.
What an epic day in Tshwane! Thousands came together to run, dance, cheer and celebrate at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, turning Arcadia's avenues into a symphony of strides. From the charged start on Stanza Bopape to the breathless finish, jacarandas framed moments of pure magic amid live heritage performances.
Thank you for your energy that lit up the capital, and for every kilometre you conquered – ensuring R1 each goes to CANSA's vital work. A special shoutout to all the powerful women who closed out Women’s Month in the streets, and in style, proving pace knows no bounds.
