Kenya's Christine Njoki claimed her second Totalsports Women’s Race victory, this time in Cape Town on National Women’s Day on Friday 9 August 2024.
Njoki, who set a South African all-comers record and personal best at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K early in July and secured her first Totalsports Women’s Race victory in Durban just under a week ago with a dominant performance, faced stiffer competition in Cape Town. Ethiopia’s Tadu Teshome Nare ran shoulder to shoulder with her, challenging the leading lady throughout the race.
"The race was good and enjoyable,” said a very pleased Njoki. “The course was tough with a lot of hills, and it was windy on route. However, the last kilometer was great. I feel good. This is my third race in South Africa, and I am so grateful to be able to run here. I hope to come back. The event is fantastic, especially because it's dedicated to women, and the support was amazing. I'm glad to be here and want to remind all women that no human is limited. Do what you love and leave a remarkable legacy for future generations to remember."
Tadu Teshome Nare (Ethiopia) came in second with South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba rounding off the podium.
“The race was tough, I ran a hilly course last week, and a long run, so I felt the hills today, but I am very happy to be back in Cape Town, even though the weather is disappointing sometimes,” laughs Xaba. “I am very happy to have performed well today. It was a good race for me as I felt really strong at the end.”
One of the Mother City's most iconic Women's Day celebrations, the Totalsports Women’s Race, attracted a record field of 12,500 runners in 2024. On National Women’s Day, these participants took to the streets of Cape Town to celebrate women and support PinkDrive. After their run, they were treated to a live performance by South African singer-songwriter Jimmy Nevis.
"The Mother City boasted a fantastic turnout for the Totalsports Women's Race today on National Women’s Day,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “We were once again treated to an impressive Elite Women’s 10km race, with both local and international athletes vying for the top spot on the podium. Congratulations to Christine Njoki with your impressive win today, and to Tadu Nare and Glenrose Xaba for bringing the competition. We are also thankful to the thousands of runners and walkers from diverse backgrounds who joined in on the fun today. Your support and enthusiasm made the event possible. You brought the vibe and turned it into a true celebration of women, health, and PinkDrive. It was an amazing day out in Cape Town.”
"What a way to celebrate National Women's Day in the Mother City,” says Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports. “Cape Town was abuzz as thousands of inspirational women of all ages and backgrounds participated in the Totalsports Women's Race. The event truly celebrated women, with overwhelming support for PinkDrive. The atmosphere was vibrant and inspiring, marking a fantastic day where women shone as the true heroes! With two fantastic events behind us in Durban and Cape Town, we look forward to closing off the 2024 Totalsports Women’s Race series in Joburg on 17 August. Jozi always brings the vibe, and we are excited to see thousands of runners and walkers proudly wearing their event t-shirts as they take over the streets of the City of Gold and #LoveTheRun with us."
"Due to a building fire on Sir Lowry Road in Cape Town this morning, which impacted the first half of the race route, we had to exclude the entire block from the course. The fire posed a significant safety concern, not just because of the smoke but also due to the flames encroaching on the road. We were faced with a choice: delay the race or find a safe deviation and continue. As a result, we started 20 minutes later with a slight route change, which unfortunately shortened the course by approximately a kilometer. We’re proud of our team’s quick response, as this all unfolded at 07:45, just fifteen minutes before the race was scheduled to start. By 08:20, the race was underway, and participants were able to enjoy a safe course for their Women’s Day celebration," says Dezroy Poole, Director of Stillwater Sports.
NEXT UP: 2024 Totalsports Women’s Race Johannesburg
ENTER: www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za, www.webtickets.co.za or any Pick ‘n Pay store nationwide.
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Totalsports Women’s Race proudly supports PinkDrive. When registering online for the event, runners have the option to support PinkDrive by donating to the cause. PinkDrive will offer free clinical breast examinations in each city, along with the opportunity to consult with a PinkDrive nurse for general medical advice. Runners can also visit PinkDrive’s “Shop4Cancer” at each event, where they can deck themselves out in pink gear to show their support for this worthy cause and run with pride. For more information on PinkDrive visit www.pinkdrive.org
IMPRESSIVE PRIZE PURSE: The Totalsports Women’s Race boasts an impressive, combined prize purse of R 412,500.00 in 2024. With the race now spanning three separate days in three different cities (Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg), the level of action and excitement will be higher than ever. The prize purse will be split evenly between each of the three races, with each race being allocated a total of R137,500.00. Prize money will be awarded to the top 10 finishers in the Open Category, with the winner receiving R30,000, the runner-up R20,000, and the 3rd place finisher R15,000. Additionally, prize money will also be allocated to the top 3 finishers in the following categories: Junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.
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For more information on PinkDrive visit www.pinkdrive.org For further information on the Totalsports Women’s Race visit www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za
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