Lebo Phalula, the fastest over-40 10km female athlete in South Africa, currently enjoying a rich vein of form, is amongst a host of talent lining up to race July’s Durban 10km Absa Run Your City.
Oliver Ochieng
40-year-old Lebo Phalula, the fastest over-40 10km female athlete in South Africa, is among those eagerly anticipating the famously fast Durban course after clocking 32:38 to place fifth at the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10km in April.
In the process, the multiple former South Africa Champion and 2016 Olympian improved her own over-40 South Africa Women’s 10km record.
Phalula credits her twin sister Lebogang and her husband Gladwin Mzazi, for their unwavering support and the key role they play in her enduring success.
“I didn’t go anywhere when my husband went to Eastern Cape, so I decided to stay here and train hard because my sister was there always helping me with training, with my time and everything,” she said.
Meanwhile, debutant and former track specialist Bruce-Lynn Damons is targeting a strong showing at this year’s Absa Run Your City Durban on July 13, where he is expected to leave a mark.
According to the 29-year-old former 1500m specialist, the Durban race is an opportunity for him to continue showcasing his abilities on the road, adding that his personal best of 28:48 he achieved during the 2023 Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10km will serve as a springboard to breaking new ground during the Durban race.
“I heard it was the fastest race in South Africa. Training has been going well and I’m looking forward to coming close to my personal best of 28.48 and running faster on the day with the best in the country,” said the athlete.
On May 11, he ran a season’s best of 29:29 at the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K, finished second at the Western Province 10km championships, before defending his title at the Gugs Youth Day 10km with a time of 29:36 five weeks later, while continuing to dominate the 4km event at WPA Cross Country League races in June.
His target, he said, is breaking his personal best and finishing within the top 10 bracket.
Lebo Phalula in action at the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K in May this year. PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and the Series Founder says it is rewarding to see athletes such as Damons and Phalula growing stronger, with a view of inspiring a wave of next generation stars.
“At the same time, seeing stalwarts like Lebo Phalula continue to grow stronger with age – defying expectations and inspiring the next generation – is truly special. The action is heating up in Durban,” he noted.
South Africa Absa Run Your City Series boasts an impressive combined prize purse of R1 610 000.00 in 2025, with the top male and female finishers in each city receiving R30,000 each.
Second place finishers earn R25,000 while R20,000 goes to third-place finishers.
Additionally, a bonus of R50,000.00 is awarded to the South African athlete who breaks the SA 10km record (at the time of the race).
The entry fee for a licensed runner is R255, while a temporary license goes for R50.00.
The Absa Run Your City Series has supported the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) in the fight against cancer, since 1931.
