women are valued and celebrated in society through the Totalsports Women’ s Race. My primary goal will be to improve on my previous time. If I feel strong after the halfway mark, I’ ll definitely push to challenge the World Record.”

KAVANAGH KEEN TO RACE ON HOMESOIL

No stranger to the Totalsports Women’ s Race, Tayla Kavanagh is excited to compete on home soil when the iconic event returns to Durban.“ I love racing in my home city, and the Totalsports Women’ s Race is a wonderful way to celebrate women. Seeing so many women come together to run through the streets of Durban is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we support one another,” she says.

admits Chacha.“ I want to improve my PB in both cities while gaining experience.”

When asked what she thinks about the fact that the Totalsports Women’ s Race celebrates and honours women, the Kenyan says it is a very good purpose.“ Women are strong and independent in daily life, and sport gives us even more self-confidence. My message to the thousands of female athletes taking part is to be the best version of yourself today, so you can make your younger self proud.”

Ghati Chacha

Images: Anthony Grote, Matthew Pearce, Chales Ndou

NJOKI READY TO DEFEND HER TITLE

Kenya’ s Christine Njoki will return to Durban this Sunday, as she sets her sights on defending her title at one of South Africa’ s most iconic Women’ s Month celebrations, the Totalsports Women’ s Race. Njoki made a sensational Totalsports Women’ s Race debut in Durban in 2024, dominating the field with a blistering victory in a lightning-fast 31 minutes, the fastest time ever run in any of the three Totalsports Women’ s Races.

“ My experience at the Totalsports Women’ s Race Durban was amazing – there was incredible energy from both the runners and the organisers,” says Njoki.“ I’ m coming back because of the love and support from the fans, the race organisers, and of course, the opportunity to defend my title. I always look forward to connecting with fellow athletes, making new friends, and enjoying a great race.”

When asked about the R1,000,000 incentive for the first female athlete to break the Women’ s Only 10km World Record( 29:27) at the Totalsports Women’ s Race Durban, Njoki shared her thoughts:“ It’ s an incredibly motivating incentive. Every woman lining up in Durban will give her best to challenge the World Record. It’ s a powerful statement that

Christine Njoki

Looking ahead to race day, Kavanagh is eager to test herself, and hopefully improve on the 32:10 personal best she set in 2021, as well as repeat the win she achieved in this race in 2022.“ I’ m looking forward to a competitive and enjoyable morning out on the roads,” she says.“ Durban usually delivers ideal running conditions this time of year, and with the flat and fast route, it should make for an exciting race.”

For Kavanagh, one of the most meaningful aspects of the event is its inclusivity.“ It’ s really special to take part in a race that welcomes runners of all levels, bringing women together to promote an active lifestyle while having fun out on the roads. It’ s incredibly special to share the road with so many women who love running, and I hope young girls taking part will be inspired by the community around them.”

Tayla Kavanagh

CHACHA SETS SIGHTS ON DOUBLE WIN

After securing a phenomenal victory at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K earlier this year, in an impressive time of 31:45, Kenya’ s Jane Ghati Chacha has now set her sights on the Totalsports Women’ s Race in Durban, and the Cape Town leg of the same event a week later.“ I entered the Durban and Cape Town Totalsports Women’ s Races because they are well-organised events that attract strong athletes to the start line,”

KHATALA WELCOMES TRIPLE CHALLENGE

Lesotho’ s 10km national record-holder, Neheng Khatala, is ready for triple the challenge this August when she takes on South Africa’ s largest women’ s month celebration, the Totalsports Women’ s Race. She has previously competed in the Totalsports Women’ s Race in Durban and Johannesburg, but 2025 will mark her Cape Town debut.

“ Each city offers a unique racing experience. In Durban, the fast and flat route along the coast is ideal for testing my speed, and Joburg boasts a vibrant crowd and a highaltitude challenge that always brings a special atmosphere. but I’ m especially looking forward to experiencing the race for the first time in Cape Town, and soaking up the energy of the Mother City,” she says.“ My goal in Durban is to run a strong, fast 10km and build momentum for the season. In Cape Town, I want to compete confidently, enjoy my debut, and aim for a podium finish. In Joburg, I’ ll aim to improve on my previous performance and push myself in the altitude conditions.”

Neheng Khatala

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