In the world of elite running, every stride is a story, every breath a gamble with gravity, and every race a canvas of ambition painted in sweat. On Sunday, 13 July, the coastal city of Durban will once again become the crucible of speed and spirit as two titans of the road—South Africa’s seasoned warrior Elroy Gelant and Kenya’s meteor on the rise Vincent Kipkorir—toe the line in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, a race poised to echo with thunderous footsteps and dreams daring to outrun time itself.
Gelant, the 38-year-old maestro of the marathon, returns not merely as defending champion but as a man sculpting his final symphony. His journey, once rooted in the tracks of Potchefstroom, now stretches toward the world's grandest stages. Just months ago, he startled the road-running world with a blistering 2:05:36 marathon in Hamburg, eclipsing the long-standing South African record by nearly a minute.
But even after breaking through the wall of national history, Gelant is far from easing his pace. His fourth-place finish in Cape Town (28:08) merely set the tempo for what’s to come in Durban. For him, this 10K is more than a race—it’s a rhythm check before the full orchestration of the World Championships in Tokyo this September.
My training has been going really well. Obviously, the big goal is the World Championships where I’ll be running the marathon… But being the defending champion for the Durban leg, I intend to go out there and defend my title and see if I can get close to a personal best. It will be a good test of leg speed.
At 38, Gelant is like a seasoned watchmaker, finely tuning each component before the ticking begins on the streets of Tokyo. But the sands of time don’t stand still—and neither do the next generation of challengers, who come not to pay homage but to dismantle legacies.
Enter Vincent Kipkorir—the man with wings on his heels and fire in his lungs.
At just 23, Kipkorir has already left deep imprints on African asphalt. He came close to gold in Gqeberha with a 27:48 and then soared across the finish line in Herzogenaurach, Germany with a world-class 27:08—a time that sent whispers across the athletics globe. Now, he lands in Durban not just with a hunger to win, but with his eyes locked on the SA All-Comers Record of 27:16—and perhaps more.
I’m feeling confident going into the Durban race. I have worked hard to stay injury-free and maintain peak form. My goal is to run a very fast time—possibly a personal best. I’m aiming to go under 27 minutes. With the right course, conditions, and competition, running under 27 or even closer to 26:30 can happen here in Africa.
Such ambitions are no longer fantasies. Thanks to the growing prestige of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES, the continent’s fastest feet now have home-soil circuits built for world-class performance. Durban’s route, with its flat, sea-hugging turns and oxygen-thick humidity, could become the springboard for one of the fastest 10Ks ever run on African soil.
It’s fantastic to have Elroy Gelant back at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Elroy has been a staunch supporter since the beginning… At the same time, we’re thrilled to welcome Vincent Kipkorir to Durban. With his sights set on the SA All-Comers record, we’re expecting fireworks. The fast, flat course is made for big performances, and this year’s race is shaping up to be a real battle.
Indeed, fireworks are expected—explosive surges of speed, bursts of brilliance, and pacing battles so tight they could split seconds with a scalpel. And beyond Gelant and Kipkorir, a cast of dark horses—Kabelo Mulaudzi, Kamohelo Mofolo, and a wave of hungry young runners—will all toe the line with hearts full of defiance.
But while the finish line promises glory, the start line carries a deeper message.
Every step in this race resonates beyond the runners’ personal dreams. With CANSA as the official charity partner, every kilometre is a stride in solidarity with those waging their own battles, against cancer and despair. It is proof that when thousands move together, they do more than chase records—they chase hope.
Visit www.runyourcityseries.com for more information.
