{"id":50016,"date":"2023-03-10T16:19:44","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T14:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=50016"},"modified":"2023-03-10T16:19:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T14:19:44","slug":"isaac-kibet-set-for-absa-run-your-city-gqeberha-10k-debut-as-local-star-melikhaya-frans-looks-to-defend-the-international-onslaught","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/more-sport\/isaac-kibet-set-for-absa-run-your-city-gqeberha-10k-debut-as-local-star-melikhaya-frans-looks-to-defend-the-international-onslaught\/","title":{"rendered":"Isaac Kibet set for Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K debut, as local star Melikhaya Frans looks to defend the international onslaught"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series<\/strong> continues to build and provide world class events for South African stars on home soil as another two big names, Uganda\u2019s Isaac Kibet and local hero Melikhaya Frans, confirm their entry into the <strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K<\/strong> that will debut on Sunday 02 April 2023.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This announcement is hot on the heels of Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K Champion, Daniel Ebenyo\u2019s (Kenya) confirmation that he will descend on \u201cThe Friendly City\u201d in his usual front running style in April. The Commonwealth Silver Medalist has two Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series wins behind his name (obtained in Cape Town in 2021 and 2022) and is aiming to make the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K his third.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kibet is no stranger to South African shores after his 5<sup>th<\/sup> place finish in the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 10 July where he crossed the line in 28:03. He now has his eyes firmly set on both a fast time and the podium. \u201cI want to run 27:40 or better. And I intend to be on the podium.\u201d Kibet has already gone 27min in the 10km when he finished 5<sup>th<\/sup> in the 10km De Lille in Lille, France in 2021, clocking 27:41. \u201cI am in better shape than I was in 2022 in Durban, so I am looking forward to racing in Gqeberha. The race will be fast.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kibet at 26-years of age is in the prime of his life. His inclusion in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K means that the inaugural race in the city will be a fast one. \u201cI love running in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. The courses are always good, and the organisation is superb.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Flying the flag for the host city will be the local hero, Melikhaya Frans, a man who is almost unbeatable at home. Frans has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years, with 2022 being the big breakthrough year for the 32-year-old, taking a massive 2minutes off his marathon best when representing South Africa at the World Marathon Championships (2:09.24) and slicing a whopping 37seconds off his 10k time (28:16) in 2021. For Frans flying the flag in his hometown is a big deal. \u201cI cannot wait to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K. It\u2019s here at home now, it\u2019s going to be exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Frans fully appreciates the impact that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K will have on his hometown and can\u2019t wait to be on the start line come Sunday 02 April. \u201cI\u2019ve seen the names coming in and I see that (Daniel) Ebenyo is coming to run. So my expectation is to run 28 minutes on the day, and I will be happy, really happy with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSA\u2019s elite and international athletes have welcomed the exciting expansion of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series from three to five mass participation events in 2023 with the inclusion of Gqeberha (in April) and Tshwane (in August),\u201d says Michael Meyer Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. \u201cThis expansion is a further sign of the popularity of the series, both in South Africa and abroad. The fast flat course in Gqeberha combined with the strong local and international field is guaranteed to deliver world class performances. Not only can\u2019t we wait to watch the elite race unfold, but we are also excited to give Gqeberha residents the opportunity to be part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>EVENT INFORMATION<\/u><\/strong><strong>:\u00a0 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"671\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Sunday 02 April 2023<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><u>Start &amp; Finish Venue<\/u>: Kings Beach Precinct<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><u>Start Time<\/u>: 07:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><u>Entry Fee<\/u>:<\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>Standard Entry:<\/strong> Licenced Runners R240.00<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Temp Licence: R20.00<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u>Standard Entry Includes<\/u>:<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa Entrant Gifts<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DHL Water Bottle<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Race Number with Timing Chip<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sponsor Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher\u2019s Medal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\">2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>Gold Package:<\/strong> R1200.00<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u>Gold Package Includes<\/u>:<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Event Performance T-shirt<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa Entrant Gifts<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DHL Water Bottle<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Exclusive Gold Package Gifts<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Race Number with Timing Chip<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Access to Pre-race VIP Area (incl. refreshments)<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Preferential Start Seeding<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sponsor Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Route Entertainment Points<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tog Bag Drop and Collect Service<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Access to Post-race VIP Area (incl. refreshments, massage, ablution facilities)<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Finisher\u2019s Medal<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Sunday 14 May 2023<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Sunday 09 July 2023<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Sunday 27 August 2023<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"264\"><strong>6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><strong>Sunday 24 September 2023<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"406\"><strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>PRIZE PURSE<\/u><\/strong><strong>: <\/strong>The <strong>Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series <\/strong>boasts an impressive, combined Prize Purse of <strong>R 1\u00a0560\u00a0000.00<\/strong> in 2023. Each of the five events will be assigned R312\u00a0000.00 in prize money of which R252\u00a0000.00 will be allocated towards the Open Category (R126 000.00 going to Top 10 Open Men\u2019s and R126 000.00 to Top 10 Open Women\u2019s), and R60\u00a0000 towards Age Categories (Junior, 40 \u2013 49, 50 \u2013 59, 60 \u2013 69 and 70+ Age Categories). To view the prize purse breakdown please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/runyourcityseries.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/runyourcityseries.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Facebook: <\/strong>@Gqeberha10k \/ @CapeTown10k \/ @Durban10k \/ @Tshwane10k \/ @Joburg10k<\/p>\n<p><strong>Instagram:<\/strong> @Gqeberha10k \/ @CapeTown10k \/ @Durban10k \/ @Tshwane10k \/ @Joburg10k<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hashtag:\u00a0 <\/strong>#RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity<\/p>\n<p><strong>Websites:<\/strong>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.runyourcityseries.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.runyourcityseries.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>About Absa <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa\u2019s largest diversified financial services groups.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States.<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit<\/em> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.absa.africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>www.absa.africa<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been r<\/em><em>evolutionizing the sport since 2015.\u00a0 A <\/em><em>road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises five unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (launched in 2023), Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K<\/em> <em>(launched in 2017), <\/em><em>Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (launched in 2023) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants.<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>For further information please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/runyourcityseries.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/runyourcityseries.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"ap-custom-wrapper\"><\/div><!--ap-custom-wrapper-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series continues to build and provide world class events for South African stars on home soil as another two big names, Uganda\u2019s Isaac Kibet and local hero Melikhaya Frans, confirm their entry into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K that will debut on Sunday 02 April 2023. &nbsp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-more-sport"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50016\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}