Just five months after welcoming her first child, Kyla Jacobsimpressed with a strong showing at the Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town on Sunday, 9 August. Now, she’s set to build on that momentum when she lines up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10Kon Sunday, 24 August 2025.
Jacobs last raced in April 2024 before a stress fracture in her foot forced her to the sidelines. She then chose to start a family, extending her break from competition. Making her return on National Women’s Day, the Boxer Athletics Club athlete clocked an encouraging 35:51 for 15th place on the hilly Totalsports Women’s Race course in the Mother City.
“That was awesome!” she said after crossing the finish line in Darling street outside City Hall. “It was an awesome day for me to be out there racing. It was so good to compete again. It’s been almost 18 months of no racing, so it’s been a while. But I really surprised myself because I felt strong and had a lot more left in the tank.”
The 30-year-old Capetonian chose the perfect month for her return, with South Africa celebrating Women’s Month. Jacobs says she draws inspiration from athletes like Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon gold medalist, multiple Soweto Marathon champion, and four-time Olympian Irvette Van Zyl – a mother of two who continues to compete at the highest level.
“I feel really strong in training and I’ve got a good community around me – people like Irvette, Landie Greyling and Anel Terreblanhce who all inspire you and show you that moms can do it. They give me the strength and motivation to come back stronger.”
Satisfied with her first outing on the road and rooted in a nurturing support structure, South Africa’s sixth fastest 5000m athlete of all time (15:20.61) will now begin the process towards representing the country at a maiden Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Key to that is maintaining her steady reintroduction to 10km racing which will continue at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K.
“I just want to race for PUMA and Boxer and all the sponsors. I’m not expecting to be as competitive yet. It’s more about building up my fitness and getting that racing experience again. I’m going to give it my best on the day and see what I’m capable of.”
“Kyla’s performance at the Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town was truly inspiring – especially considering it was her first race back after giving birth just a few months ago,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “We’re excited to welcome her to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in 2025. We wish her all the best for race day and encourage Tshwane residents to come out in full force to support her and all the athletes as they race through the city.”
EVENT DATES: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
| Sunday 13 April 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K Elite Man: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:28 Elite Woman: Jane Gati Chacha (Kenya) 31:45 |
| Sunday 11 May 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K Elite Man: Kabelo Maluadzi (RSA) 27:49 Elite Woman: Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 32:00 |
| Sunday 13 July 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K Elite Man: Kabelo Mulaudzi (RSA) 27:41 Elite Woman: Clare Ndiwa (Kenya) 30:50 |
| Sunday 24 August 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K Start Time: 08:00 Start Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane Finish Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane |
| Wednesday 24 September 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K |
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES proudly supports the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events. Anon-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k /@CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites:www.runyourcityseries.com
About Absa
Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States. For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visitwww.absa.africa
About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES has been revolutionizing the sport since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES comprises five unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K (launched in 2023), Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K(launched in 2017), Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K (launched in 2023) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants. For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
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