Kenyan Doreen Cherop outsprinted defending champion Glenrose Xaba over the closing stages to claim the women’s title at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K race on Sunday, while compatriot Salem Kibet held off a strong South African challenge to win the men’s race, which delivered another thrilling spectacle at the Union Buildings.

After running stride for stride with Xaba for much of the race, Cherop made her decisive move in the final kilometre to break clear and win in 31:35.

Xaba finished just three seconds behind in 31:38, while another Kenyan, Deborah Chemutai, completed the podium in 31:59.

Cherop, who also won last month’s Absa Run Your City Durban 10K, was overjoyed with the victory in Pretoria.

“I pushed in the first half and realised Glenrose was strong. So I made my move in the last kilometre and when she didn’t respond, I pushed even harder,” she said after the race.

Xaba, who is building towards next month’s World Athletics Road Running Championships, took plenty of confidence from her runner-up finish.

“The competition was tough. I’m glad I was able to fight until the finish. I realised in the last 200m I still had energy, but it was too late to close the gap,” she admitted.

Unlike last year’s dramatic photo finish between Kabelo Mulaudzi and Ethiopian Aklilu Asfaw, the men’s race saw one athlete control the action and win with a timely strike.

Kibet crossed the line alone in 28:45, narrowly missing Kamohelo Mofolo’s course record of 28:40 set in 2024.

“The record was on my mind, but I lost it. I’ll prepare for it next time because I now know the course,” he remarked.

Kibet was part of an early pack that followed pace setter Neil van der Merwe. After dropping Van der Merwe, the pack was eventually whittled down to Kibet himself and Boxer Athletics Club teammates Chris Mhlanga and Zenzile Pheko before he launched the decisive attack in the closing stages.

Pheko fought back to secure second in 28:55, with Mhlanga third in 28:56, as Joshua Mengich finished fourth in 28:57.

“I’ve been preparing for this race for almost a month. My preparation made me perform this way. The course was hard, but I’m happy I managed to win,” Kibet said.

For Pheko, the result marked his first Absa Run Your City Series podium finish.

Reflecting on another successful Absa Run Your City Tshwane, Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer congratulated the two Kenyans with their respective victories.

“The quality of racing on display today was world-class, with athletes pushing the pace and delivering a nail-biting contest from start to finish. A big congratulations also goes to the thousands of runners who came out to experience the energy of the Series in the nation’s capital,” Meyer concluded.

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