Looking to run a 10km PB in 2020? Well, the already fast FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN course potentially got a little faster!

The event, which celebrates its 4th anniversary in 2020, has a new date on the local running calendar as the event moves from its traditional October slot to Sunday, 12 July.

July is one of the drier and less windy months in Durban, which is one of the reasons why organisers decided to move the event as it creates the potential for faster times.

The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN forms part of the FNB Run Your City Series, which includes the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, which takes place in May, and the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN held in September.

Get all the info about the 2020 FNB Run Your City Series here.

The Series is synonymous with fantastic routes, local and international competition, an impressive prize purse, new records, personal bests, vibrant route entertainment, spectacular sponsor activations and an energetic atmosphere to mention just a few.

“Since the event’s inception in 2017, the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN has featured a flat course and attracted an impressive field of local and international athletes. As a result, numerous records have been set on SA soil,” says Agne du Plessis, Stillwater Sports Head of Road Running.

Fast, record-breaking times

In 2017, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei smashed the South African All-Comers record of 27:55, crossing the line in 27:28 for the fourth-fastest time in the world that year, as well as a Ugandan National record. Mercyline Chelangat also ran a National Ugandan record in the women’s race that year, while Julien Wanders set a Swiss National record.

Cheptegei returned in 2018 to break his own course record and with that, the Ugandan record and the SA All-Comers record on the day. Wanders broke both the Swiss National 10km record and the European 10km record by finishing second.

Women’s winner, Stella Chesang smashed the women’s course record, the Ugandan National 10km record, and came within one second of the SA All-Comers record. Last year the fastest woman in the world in 2019, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui took four seconds off the South African All-Comers record to win in 30:55.

More favourable conditions

“’To continue raking in the records and possibly one day boast a world record on SA soil, we also need near-perfect weather conditions on event day,” says du Plessis.

“This, however, cannot be guaranteed in Durban in October, which is one of the reasons why we moved the date. Hopefully, we’ll see more Capetonians and Jozi runners join us on the day. We are excited by this change and look forward to celebrating the 4th anniversary of the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN in July.”

Photo by Tobias Ginsberg