Thousands expected in Mother City at Totalsports Women’s Race in celebration of the spirit of women
Thousands of women, including some of the world’s best, will flock to Cape Town’s Grand Parade on Sunday for the annual running of the Totalsports Women’s Race which celebrates the strength, unity and spirit of women from all walks of life. Two races over 5km and 10km take place on an undulating course through the […] The post Thousands expected in Mother City at Totalsports Women’s Race in celebration of the spirit of women appeared first on Sports Network Africa.
Black News 
Thousands of women, including some of the world’s best, will flock to Cape Town’s Grand Parade on Sunday for the annual running of the Totalsports Women’s Race which celebrates the strength, unity and spirit of women from all walks of life.
Two races over 5km and 10km take place on an undulating course through the heart of Cape Town, past some of the Mother City’s most important heritage markers, including District Six, the Company Gardens and the Parliament Precinct.
The race is the second in a series of three Women’s Day races throughout the country following last Sunday’s event in Durban. The final race will be held in Johannesburg on 16 August.
Leading Lesotho athlete, Neheng Khatala, came out on top in Durban, winning by 39 seconds in a fast 32:06, her third sub-32:10 time of her career and the second within a month, following her 32:04 win at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10km three weeks back.
Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) came in second, 12 months after the birth of her son, while Friday Ndinda (Kenya) finished third. Ntsoaki Molahloe was the first South African home in 4th place in 33:54.
“The race was great and the route is fast,” said Khatala. “It’s been a good year for me. We tried to push the pace, but unfortunately the wind made it difficult.
“Crossing the finish line first today means a lot to me,” she added. “Durban is where I set my national record. I missed it today, but I think if it hadn’t been for the wind, I would have run faster. I love this race. The organisers take great care of us, the event is exceptionally well organised, and everything is just perfect.”
Looking ahead to next month’s World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Lesotho’s leading half marathon and 10km athlete was unsure if she would have the opportunity to compete in Denmark. “I’d love to compete (in the half marathon) but my country does not really focus on that event,” she added.
Kenyan athletes are favoured to take the honours in Cape Town on Sunday, as was the case last year when Christine Njoki destroyed the field blitzing to a course record 31:16 victory ahead of her compatriot Jane Chacha. Clare Ndiwa made it a podium clean sweep for Kenya, just a second adrift in third.
Last year’s race boasted one of the strongest line-ups in a women’s only race in South Africa, with Karabo More the only South African in the top ten, and there will be no shortage of world-class action at the front of Sunday’s race, with Kenyans Daisilah Jerono and Faith Cherono favoured to bag podium places.
Jerono’s close second to Ethiopian Likina Amebaw in 1:05:21 in the Generali Beliner Half Marathon in March this year places her 7th in the world and the second fastest Kenyan in 2026 and she will be looking to a top performance in Cape Town to clinch her selection for the World Championships in Denmark next month.
While the Cape Town course majors on character rather than speed, Njoki’s 31:16 showed that fast times can be achieved and Jerono, 23, will be looking to threaten her PB over the distance of 31:44, set in Boston, USA, less than two months ago.
“I am excited to see women out there testing themselves and pushing towards the goals they want to achieve. This race is a celebration of humanity and women,” said Jerono. “I am looking forward to my first visit to South Africa and Cape Town, competing in a women’s-only event, and advocating for social justice and human rights worldwide.
“The message I would like to share with all the women taking part is to have courage, determination, focus and commitment. Be strong and believe in yourselves. The hard days are behind you, and the tough days are what make you stronger.
“The message I would like to share with all the women taking part is to have courage, determination, focus and commitment,” Jerono added. “Be strong and believe in yourselves. The hard days are behind you, and the tough days are what make you stronger.”
Jerono is currently ranked No. 7 in the world for the half marathon in 2026, following her impressive 1:05:21 performance in Berlin. She is also the second-fastest Kenyan over the distance this year.
With 27-year-old Faith Cherono looking to run close to her personal best of 30:06 over 10km, set in Valencia in January this year, this will be one of the fastest women’s fields the Mother City has ever seen. Cherono ran a second sub-31-minute time this year, finishing second in 30:44 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10km in Gqeberha in March.
“South Africa has amazing races across this beautiful country, and I am looking forward to racing in the world-renowned city of Cape Town, a destination of choice for tourists and sports enthusiasts,” said Cherono. “I believe we will have a quality event, with athletes from South Africa, Kenya and many other countries. I am aiming for a personal best and will do my best to achieve it.”
Managing Director of race presenter, Stillwater Sports, Michael Meyer, has brought many of East Africa’s leading athletes to compete in South Africa in recent years. “We are excited to welcome Faith and Daisilah to the Totalsports Women’s Race for the first time,” said Meyer.
“Faith has already shown her class on South African roads this year with a superb performance in Gqeberha, and her decision to race in Cape Town is sure to bring added excitement on race day. Welcoming Daisilah to Cape Town for her South African racing debut is a very special occasion for us.”
Cape Town-based Fortunate Chidzivo carries local hopes of a top ten finish. No stranger to success in the Mother City, Chidzivo claimed top honours at the Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town in 2022.
“It’s always a pleasure to line up for the Totalsports Women’s Race,” said Chidziov. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate women while doing what I love most – running. It’s a truly unique way to mark the occasion. As for my performance, I’m not putting any pressure on myself. I simply want to enjoy the race and embrace the experience.”
Echoing Chidzivo’s excitement, Head of Marketing at Totalsports, Nikki Crous, emphasised that the event is about far more than crossing the finish line. “It’s about celebrating the strength, unity and spirit of women from all walks of life,” Crous said.
“National Women’s Day is a time to honour the incredible women who inspire us every day, and the Totalsports Women’s Race provides the perfect platform to celebrate that spirit through movement, camaraderie and empowerment,” added Crous. “We look forward to seeing thousands of women come together to create another unforgettable Women’s Day celebration.”
Results of Totalsports Women’s Day Race: Durban, 2 August 2026
Start & Finish Venue: Suncoast Casino, Snell Parade
1 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 32:06, 2 Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) 32:45, 3 Fridah Ndinda (Kenya) 33:15, 4 Ntsoaki Molahloe (South Africa) (33:34), 5 Agnes Mwaghui (Tanzania) 33:44, 6 Malineo Mahloko (South Africa) 36:21, 7 Janie Grundling (South Africa) 37:38, 8 Slindile Biyela (South Africa) 40:10, 9 Zama Mokoena (South Africa) 40:50, 10 Shani Silver (South Africa) 40:58
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