{"id":50064,"date":"2023-03-13T18:53:49","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T16:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=50064"},"modified":"2023-03-13T18:53:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T16:53:49","slug":"chesang-khatala-and-xaba-return-to-absa-run-your-city-series-this-time-in-gqeberha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/more-sport\/chesang-khatala-and-xaba-return-to-absa-run-your-city-series-this-time-in-gqeberha\/","title":{"rendered":"Chesang, Khatala and Xaba return to Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series this time in Gqeberha"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>No strangers to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, Kenya\u2019s Diana Chesang and Lesotho\u2019s Neheng Khatala will return to SA shores where they\u2019ll join South Africa\u2019s Glenrose Xaba at the inaugural<strong> Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K <\/strong>on Sunday 02 April 2023.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Chesang placed 8<sup>th<\/sup> at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in 2022 but returned to South Africa in July to smash a huge personal best at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K by finishing second in 31:55, an improvement of 1min and 7sec on her previous best.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am looking to break my personal best from last time,\u201d said Chesang. This will be the third time she races in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and will be only her third 10km road race. If she improves the way she did in Durban, then something special is on offer in Gqeberha on 02 April.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Khatala is the Lesotho record holder in the 10\u00a0000m (33:27.35), 10km (32:06), Half Marathon (69:57) and Marathon (2:28.06), all run in 2022 except for the Marathon which was run in 2021. Khatala set that 32:06 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in May last year. She had the season of her life in 2022 and is keen on picking up where she left off. Narrowly missing out on breaking 32min in the 10k, she is keen on that breakthrough, and with Chesang racing for a PB in Gqeberha, chances of that coming to fruition are high.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_50062\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-50062\" style=\"width: 1366px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/2023-ryc85\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/21fe73e78958\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=75&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 75w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/7eb2e270512b\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=100&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 100w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/109b2ab01f51\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=150&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 150w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/ae0b1f4d0a6a\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=240&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 240w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/2377e9b9c736\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=320&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 320w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/f54cf524837c\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=500&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 500w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/46e50d5768ea\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=640&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 640w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/672980839bf0\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=800&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 800w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/6aac81850806\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=1024&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 1024w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/c30d22db6314\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=1280&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 1280w, https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/dde3ead5180f\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp?w=1600&amp;h=0&amp;c=0 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-50062 size-full\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/wp.fifu.app\/southafricatoday.net\/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3V0aGFmcmljYXRvZGF5Lm5ldC9zcG9ydC93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wMy8yMDIzLXJ5Yzg1LmpwZw\/9de245f82695\/absa-run-your-city-series.webp\" alt=\"Chesang, Khatala and Xaba return to Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series this time in Gqeberha\" width=\"1366\" height=\"768\" title=\"\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-50062\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chesang, Khatala and Xaba return to Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series this time in Gqeberha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series routes are fast and flat, especially Gqeberha, Cape Town and Durban\u201d, says Khatala. \u201cI like it because every time I line up, I race against good elite runners and that pushes me beyond my limits and that helps me achieve good times.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Khatala went on to say \u201cI love the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series because it brings together runners, locally and internationally, elite and social. The organization is very good, and I would love to run all five the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races in 2023.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It will also be the perfect opportunity for South Africa\u2019s Glenrose Xaba to make a big breakthrough. The 28-year-old is a regular at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, fishing top ten and even top five against some of the best athletes in the world. In 2022, Xaba never once finished outside the top five and at the Johannesburg leg ran an incredible 34:03, on a tough course to finish second. Xaba will be one of the leading contenders of the South African contingent to line up on Sunday 02 April. More recently Xaba won the Gauteng North 5000m title with a 15:52.10, showing she is in good form as the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K approaches. \u201cMy preparations for Gqeberha are going really well, and I\u2019m looking forward to producing a good time. We\u2019ll once again be having international athletes competing and that will continue to push our performances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Xaba has featured in virtually every Absa RUN YOUR CITY Race, a series which clearly has had an impact on her. \u201cThe courses are always measured to international standards; the hospitality, great organisation and entertainment on the route are why I keep coming back.\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><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; &nbsp; No strangers to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, Kenya\u2019s Diana Chesang and Lesotho\u2019s Neheng Khatala will return to SA shores where they\u2019ll join South Africa\u2019s Glenrose Xaba at the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday 02 April 2023. &nbsp; Chesang placed 8th at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50063,"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":[8889],"class_list":["post-50064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-more-sport","tag-runyourcity-runpuma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50064","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=50064"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50064\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50064"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50064"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50064"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}