Fresh off a stunning victory at the prestigious Valencia 10K in January, world-leading road runner Brenda Jepchirchir has confirmed her highly anticipated South African debut.
The 20-year-old Kenyan star will headline the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March 2026, setting the stage for an electric showdown on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay.
World No.1 form heading to the Friendly City
Jepchirchir grabbed global headlines earlier this year when she clocked 29:25 to win the highly competitive Valencia 10km on 11 January, a time that propelled her to the top of the 2026 world rankings.
The performance has made her one of the most sought-after athletes on the international road racing circuit.
Yet instead of heading straight to Europe or the US, she chose South Africa, following in the footsteps of elite stars such as Genzebe Dibaba and Yelamzerf Yehualu, who have previously raced in the country.
“I’ve heard great things about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and the Gqeberha 10K,” she said.
“The course is known for being fast, the organisation is excellent, and the competition is strong. I’m excited to experience racing in South Africa and to be part of such a high-energy event.”
Sub-30 breakthrough
Breaking the 30-minute barrier was a major milestone for the young runner.
“It was an amazing feeling and a very special moment for me,” Jepchirchir explained.
“Winning in Valencia and breaking 30 minutes for the first time meant a lot.”
She credits months of consistent training and staying injury-free as the key to her rise.
“The biggest factor has been consistency. I’ve been able to train well, stay healthy and really build momentum.”
Heading into March, she has one goal.
“To put together a strong race, compete well and see what time is possible on the day. If conditions are right, I’d love to run fast again.”
Boost for local runners and fans
Her participation is a major coup for organisers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which has built a reputation for fast courses and world-class performances.
According to Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder, Jepchirchir’s decision to race locally speaks volumes.
“To have the current world No.1 choose to make her South African debut at our event shows the stature of the Series,” Meyer said.
“Her presence raises the bar once again and guarantees an exciting, world-class race for both elite and recreational runners.”
For thousands of runners in Nelson Mandela Bay, it means sharing the same course as one of the fastest women on the planet.
2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series dates
- 1 March – Gqeberha
- 10 May – Cape Town
- 12 July – Durban
- 23 August – Tshwane
- 24 September – Joburg
The series boasts a combined prize purse of R1.68 million, along with incentives aimed at boosting South African athletes’ performances.
More information: runyourcityseries.com
Ready to run?
Entries for the Gqeberha race are expected to fill quickly as excitement builds around Jepchirchir’s debut.
Whether chasing a personal best or soaking up the atmosphere, runners can expect one of the fastest and most energetic 10km events on the local calendar.
Follow updates:
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k
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