Kenya’s 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, as the race delivered another thrilling spectacle at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday 23 August 2026.
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 fellow Kenyan Deborah Chemutai completed the podium in 31:59.
“I’m happy with my performance. It was a great race.”
2026 Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k Champion, Doreen Cherop
“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.”
The Kenyan also praised the Absa Run Your City Series for creating opportunities for African athletes. “We will keep coming if the organisers keep organising such beautiful races. I want to thank the race organisers. This event was well organised.”
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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.”
SA 10km Champion, Glenrose Xaba
Karabo More led the South African chasing pack home in fourth in 33:14, a single second ahead of Kenya’s Dorcus Chepkwemoi, with Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre sixth in 33:35. Irvette van Zyl, Karabo Mailula, Cacisile Sosibo and Samantha Coertzer completed the top 10.
“Well done to all that participated in the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k and joined Team Absa Walk Run on Strava,”
Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorships at Absa
“A huge congratulations to all the winners. It was inspiring to see so many people taking to the streets of the capital city, each with different reasons for running and pushing themselves to achieve their individual goals.”
“Your stories have inspired us all, and we are immensely grateful for your contributions to the race in 2026. Thank you to our colleagues, volunteers, partner sponsors, and organisers who made this another memorable race,” she said.
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The Absa Run Your City Series now turns its attention to Johannesburg, where the sold-out Absa Run Your City Joburg 10k takes place on National Heritage Day, Thursday 24 September 2026, before the inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k in Bloemfontein on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Elite Women Final Results at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday 23 August 2026
1. Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 31:35
2. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 31:38
3. Deborah Chemutai (Kenya) 31:59
4. Karabo More (South Africa) 33:14
5. Dorcus Chepkwemoi (Kenya) 33:15
6. Selam Gebre (Ethiopia) 33:35
7. Irvette van Zyl (South Africa) 34:00
8. Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 34:19
9. Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 34:58
10. Samantha Coertzer (South Africa) 36:01
The 2026 Absa Run Your City 10k Series
Sunday 1 March: Gqeberha 10k: Women’s winner: Brenda Jepchirchir (Kenya) 30:15
Sunday 10 May: Cape Town 10k: Cancelled: Severe Weather
Sunday 12 July: Durban 10k: Women’s winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 30:43
Sunday 23 August: Tshwane 10k: Women’s winner: Doreen Cherop (Kenya) 31:35
Thursday 24 September: Joburg 10k
Sunday 25 October: Mangaung 10k
Original Copy: Stillwater Sports, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Doreen Cherop won the women’s title at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k in 31:35, edging defending champion Glenrose Xaba by three seconds in a race decided over the final kilometre, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday 23 August 2026. All Photos: Charmaine Botes Visser
Photo 2 Caption: Defending champion Glenrose Xaba fought all the way to the line for second place in 31:38 at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10k in Pretoria.
