Elroy Gelant credits the Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series as part of his SA Marathon record breaking journey
On Freedom Day, 27 April 2025, while South Africans celebrated their hard-won democracy, veteran distance runner Elroy Gelant celebrated a victory of his own etched not only in grit and strategy, but also in history.
Elroy Gelant on his way to setting a new SA Marathon record in Hamburg Photo: Facebook
At 38, Gelant delivered one of the most iconic performances in South African athletics, clocking 2:05:36 at the Hamburg Marathon to break the national marathon record set by Gert Thys in 1999. Though he finished fourth in a fiercely competitive international field, Gelant’s performance shattered expectations—and a 26-year-old record—by nearly a full minute.
“I’m just delighted, I’m grateful and honoured to be the new South African record holder in the marathon,” Gelant said after the race.
“I received a call yesterday from Gert Thys congratulating me on breaking his SA record.”
Yet Gelant’s triumph wasn’t forged in isolation. It was meticulously built over years of focused preparation, elite competition, and crucially homegrown opportunity. At the heart of that journey? The Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series, a platform Gelant credits as instrumental to his evolution from local contender to national icon.
The Race Behind the Record
Gelant’s Hamburg performance was no fluke—it was a masterclass in pace and precision. With a predicted finish of 2:05:30, he stopped the clock at 2:05:33—just three seconds off target. But what makes this even more remarkable is the pathway he took to reach this moment, especially as a South African athlete navigating limited access to top-tier international racing.
Enter the Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K Series, a transformative initiative on the local circuit that gave Gelant—and many others—the chance to compete against world-class talent without needing a passport.
Elroy Gelant used the ABSA RUN YOUR CITY 10K SERIES to improve his speed.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY series plays a massive role in the overall success of running in South Africa,” Gelant explained.
“It provides us that platform to run against great East African athletes. It gives you the opportunity to match yourself against these guys. It gives you the confidence to race overseas.”
A Platform that Levels the Playing Field
Since its inception, the RUN YOUR CITY Series has brought the world’s best to South African streets—from Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei to Switzerland’s Julien Wanders—transforming local races into elite battlegrounds. The exposure has been pivotal for South African athletes looking to sharpen their competitive edge and set world-class standards.
Leading Men at Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K by Mark Sampson
“I have had the privilege to be part of this journey since it all started,” Gelant said.
“It’s a great feeling to see that the race has been sustainable and the value it’s added for athletes across the country.”
By compressing global competition into a 10K street race in South African cities, the series has done more than just showcase speed—it’s cultivated belief, experience, and ambition. For Gelant, each race was a stepping stone, forging the mindset and fitness that ultimately culminated in his record-breaking run.
Celebrating 10 Years of Speed, Spectacle, and Social Impact
PUMA GO WILD Zone by Anthony Grote
This year, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and fittingly, the Cape Town leg on Sunday, 11 May 2025, promises to be a landmark celebration of elite racing and community spirit.
The 10K route will weave from Marine Drive in Milnerton to the Cape Town CBD, with Table Mountain standing tall as both backdrop and metaphor—for resilience and greatness.
Sea of Red by David Sullivan
“Cape Town always delivers thrilling elite racing, while the atmosphere on route is truly unrivaled,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
From sponsor route activations like PUMA’s “GO WILD” experience, to meaningful community upliftment through Absa’s R1 per kilometre campaign, the series continues to inspire not just runners—but entire cities.
“Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or a spirited spectator, your presence and stories are crucial to the vibrant tapestry of our community,” said Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Absa’s Head of Sponsorships.
A Legacy Built on the Streets
Chery Cheer Zone by Anthony Grote
For Gelant, the timing could not be more symbolic. As South Africa reflects on freedom and progress, his run stands as a metaphor for what’s possible when opportunity meets preparation. And the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series was the proving ground.
His story reminds us that greatness doesn’t just emerge on the world’s biggest stages—it’s nurtured on home soil, often in the shadow of iconic mountains and along city streets lined with supporters, sponsors, and belief.
Absa Zone by Richard Pearce
Join the Legacy: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K takes place on Sunday, 11 May 2025. Be part of the celebration, whether you run, walk, cheer, or simply witness greatness unfold.
More info and registration: www.runyourcityseries.com
Follow: @CapeTown10k | Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
