Pink was the colour of the day when just over 20 000 women lined the streets of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban on Tuesday 09 August 2022 to celebrate National Women’s Day by taking on the Totalsports Women’s Race in support of PinkDrive.
Founded in 2001, this was only the second time in the event’s history that the Totalsports Women’s Race celebrated National Women’s Day across three cities on one day. To add to the excitement, this was also the first time since 2019 that the event was hosted due to the pandemic.
Fortunate Chidzivo (Retail Capital Langa) celebrated Women’s Day in style by claiming her first Totalsports Women’s Race 10km victory when she crossed the finish line at Grand Parade, Cape Town in a deserving time of 35 minutes 28 seconds. “I did my first Totalsports Women’s Race in 2016 when it was still hosted in Stellenbosch. I think I finished sixth. It feels amazing to come back in 2022 and win it,” says Chidzivo. “I think I am lucky at Totalsports events. I won the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, and this is my second big race and it’s the Totalsports Women’s Race. I am proud to take part in a Women’s Race on Women’s Day. It’s important to stay healthy and I couldn’t wait to line up with thousands of women. I am proud to cross the finish line first. It gives me confidence to keep working hard because I’m reaping the fruits. I will definitely come back next year.” Nolene Conrad came in second, while Anél Terblanche finished third.
Glenrose Xaba (Boxer Athletics Club) was the runner to beat in the Totalsports Women’s Race 10km in Joburg. Xaba crossed the finish line at Mark’s Park (Emmarentia) in an impressive time of 34 minutes 36 seconds. “The route was tough,” says Xaba. “It was very hilly, and the competition was tough. I entered the Totalsports Women’s Race because it celebrates Women’s Day and because it supports PinkDrive. My mom has cancer, so I decided to run for her today. I am thankful for the support that we received it made the event very exciting. It meant a lot to defend my title. I won it in 2019. Winning today shows that I am dedicated and disciplined, and that I am in good shape after having a lot of injuries over the past two years.” Irvette van Zyl came in second, while Cacisine Sosebo finished third.
Tayla Kavanagh (Murray & Roberts) took no prisoners in the Totalsports Women’s Race 10km in Durban crossing the finish line first at Kings Park Athletics Track in a lightning-fast time of 33 minutes 11 seconds. “I am very happy with how the race went today and I am very happy to take the win,” says Kavanagh. “I pretty much time trialled the race. We ran together for the first kilometre, and then I decided to pull away. From there it just felt like a training run for me. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Women’s Day than with a whole bunch of beautiful ladies running together. The support along the route was amazing. I absolutely loved it. The Totalsports Women’s Race is a great initiative by Totalsports and everyone involved.” Jenna Challenor came in second, while Nwabisa Mjoli finished third.
“We had a fantastic time celebrating National Women’s Day with thousands of runners and walkers across three cities,” says Jonathan Stein Head of Totalsports. “We’ve missed the excitement and amazing vibe that the entrants bring to the Totalsports Women’s Race, and it was an absolute privilege spending the morning with so many women (and men) who #LoveTheRun. Congratulations to Fortunate Chidzivo, Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh for claiming gold in the Totalsports Women’s Race 10km in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban respectively. Being able to watch you in action was truly inspiring.”
Stein adds: “We would like to thank each entrant and spectator for joining us today; without your support the event would not be possible. Finally, a shout out to all the PinkDrive representatives that were out in each city. You do amazing work, and your zest to always help those in need leaves us in awe. It’s an absolute pleasure to have PinkDrive as the event charity.”
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Totalsports Women’s Race proudly supports PinkDrive, a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is committed to improving breast cancer awareness, education, and providing and offering free services to the medically uninsured across South Africa. PinkDrive representatives were present at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban offering FREE clinical breast examinations and educating on the importance of self- breast examinations.
PinkDrive received a welcomed donation of R75 000 (R25 000 per city) during the 2022 Totalsports Women’s Race Prize Giving in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
PRIZE PURSE: The 2022 Totalsports Women’s Race boasted an impressive, combined prize purse of R155 550,00. To view the Prize Purse Breakdown visit:
• Cape Town: https://totalsportswomensrace.co.za/cape-town-event/
• Johannesburg: https://totalsportswomensrace.co.za/johannesburg-event/
• Durban: https://totalsportswomensrace.co.za/durban-event/
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: The 2022 Totalsports Women’s Race closed off on a high note with live performances by The Black Ties in Cape Town, Simmy in Johannesburg and Q Twins in Durban.
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For more information on PinkDrive visit www.pinkdrive.co.za. For further information on the Totalsports Women’s Race visit www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za
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