Meanwhile, Kabelo Mulaudzi is determined to make the elite men’s race a tough battle to the finish. Bloemfontein is geared for a major road-running spectacle, with a sold-out field of 5,000 runners set to participate in the inaugural event. 

With a course expected to be flat and fast, the stage is set for an exciting contest featuring leading South African athletes and top international talent.

A sold-out field of 5,000 runners will take to the road in Bloemfontein on Sunday. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg

Speaking at Friday’s official press conference alongside four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka and Mulaudzi, Masai made his intentions clear. The Kenyan, who boasts a 10km personal best of 27:19, arrives in Bloemfontein after leading a Kenyan clean sweep at the Two Oceans Half Marathon in April.

“My goal is to run a personal best on Sunday,” said Masai. However, Mulaudzi has no intention of making things easy for his rivals. He is chasing an eighth Run Your City Series victory, having claimed two wins in 2023, four last year and another triumph at the Run Your City Joburg 10K last month.

Kabelo Mulaudzi in action at the Johannesburg event. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg 

The South African recorded his personal best of 27:41 when winning the 2025 Run Your City Durban 10K and believes he is in good shape to challenge for another victory.

“I’m feeling very good and I’m ready for Sunday. The competition is tough, but I will try my best. The field will have to work hard to win,” said Mulaudzi.

The women’s race promises to be equally competitive, with Xaba arriving in outstanding form. The South African claimed victory in the Boxer Super Run 5K in Durban on 18 October and recently became the first athlete to win four SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Series titles.

Glenrose Xaba is without a doubt one of the hottest 10km specialists in South Africa. Photo: Jaco Wolmarans

Xaba narrowly missed her personal best at the Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha last month, clocking 31:16 – just four seconds outside her best of 31:12. A fast Bloemfontein course could provide the perfect opportunity to improve that mark.

“I heard the course is flat and fast, and I’m looking forward to giving my best, as I always do. I’m in good form and hoping to have a great race. I came close to my personal best in Gqeberha, so I would be happy to set a new one on Sunday.” 

Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala will also be one to watch after winning the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K on 18 October. She will target a sub-32-minute performance and hopes to improve on her national record of 32:01.

Bothaville-born Gerda Steyn will be a crowd favourite on Sunday. Photo: Reg Caldecott

“My target is to run a strong, competitive race and hopefully achieve a good time. My goal is to run under 32 minutes. If the course is fast, I will give it my best and challenge myself to see if I can break the 32-minute barrier,” said Khatala.

Mokoka, who has been involved in the series since its inception in 2015, praised organisers Stillwater Sports and Absa for expanding the event to Bloemfontein and taking elite road running to new communities.

Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the series, described the inaugural race as an important milestone.

The men’s elite will no doubt be very fast along the flat route. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg

He said bringing the event to Bloemfontein would allow local supporters to watch leading South African athletes compete against international opposition while helping grow road running in the region.

With 5,000 runners ready to take to the streets, Bloemfontein is set for a memorable day of racing, with personal bests and a fiercely contested elite battle firmly on the agenda.

The action gets underway on Sunday at 07:00 at the Sir George Grey Street entrance at Grey College.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg