The Hollywood Athletics Club star is enjoying the richest vein of form of her career, but Sunday’s commanding victory in Durban merely confirmed where her attention lies. The Commonwealth Games 5 000m in Glasgow is the next target. After that, Glenrose Xaba’s South African 10km road record moves firmly into view.
Kavanagh underlined her credentials with another front-running display in the second leg of the SPAR Grand Prix series, clocking 31:31 after leading from gun to tape. The performance trimmed one second off the 31:32 she recorded while winning the opening race in Cape Town in March.
Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre stayed within striking distance before finishing second in 31:45, while Kavanagh’s Hollywood teammate Neheng Khatala completed the podium in 32:08.
The victory added another chapter to a remarkable season. The 25-year-old lowered her personal best to 31:33 at the Sanlam Cape Town 10km Peace Run in May, secured a third successive title in that race and swept to national crowns over 5 000m and 10 000m at the South African Championships in Stellenbosch.
Despite opening a healthy advantage in the SPAR standings, Kavanagh says the series title is not driving her schedule.
“My focus is on the Commonwealth Games. I have one more 10K and then all eyes are on the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“I haven’t committed to any other SPAR races yet, so I can’t tell you if I’ll be trying to win the whole series. I’m trying to participate in the ones that I can.”
Durban presented a different challenge to Cape Town, where Kavanagh spent much of the race chasing Glenrose Xaba. This time she dictated the pace from the front and trusted her instincts.
“I was quite proud of how I managed to relax within the race, constantly checking in with myself and how my body was reacting,” she said.
“Selam and I had a really good race. At the 9km mark I still felt I had something left in the legs, so I tried to open up. I was really happy with how it played out.”
While Glasgow has become her immediate destination, the national record remains the long-term prize.
Xaba’s South African 10km road record of 31:12, set in Durban in 2024 when she erased Elana Meyer’s 23-year-old mark, has become the benchmark Kavanagh wants to reach.
“I’d love to get there this season. Hopefully by the end of 2026 I can reach that goal or see how close we can get,” she said.
“I know on a good day, if everything comes together, I have a good chance. It’s a matter of time. It’s in God’s hands when it happens, but it’s something I do want to chase.”
The stopwatch has become Kavanagh’s toughest opponent.
If her current trajectory continues, Glasgow could provide another springboard before she takes aim at one of South African road running’s most treasured records.
Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup campaign has already delivered history. On Sunday, it could deliver another R66 million.
Fresh from a gritty 1-0 victory over South Korea, Hugo Broos’ side take on co-hosts Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles with a place in the Round of 16 and a significantly bigger FIFA payday at stake.
South Africa have already secured total tournament earnings of $23.5 million (about R390 million) after reaching the knockout phase.
That figure comprises FIFA’s $10 million participation fee, a $2.5 million preparation grant and the $11 million awarded to teams eliminated in the Round of 32.
Victory over Canada would increase the performance bonus to $15 million, adding another $4 million, or approximately R66 million, to Bafana’s World Cup earnings.
The financial rewards also filter down to the dressing room.
Under an agreement between the South African Football Association (SAFA), the players and technical staff receive 30% of FIFA prize money. Having already earned bonuses estimated at around R2 million each after progressing from the group stage, another victory could lift individual payouts to roughly R3.6 million.
While the money is substantial, Broos’ focus will be on another disciplined tactical display against a Canadian side boasting genuine pace in wide areas.
Canada’s biggest threats come from European-based stars Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan, two explosive wingers capable of stretching even the most organised defence.
Rather than matching Canada stride for stride, Broos is expected to rely on the compact defensive structure that frustrated South Korea.
Midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole are likely to operate as a double pivot, shifting across the field to protect the defence and prevent Canada’s wide players from driving into dangerous central areas.
Behind them, full-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba are expected to hold their defensive shape, limiting space behind the back line rather than committing early to one-on-one battles.
Should Canada’s attacking full-backs push forward, Bafana will look to exploit the space in transition, using quick vertical attacks to turn defence into offence.
That formula served South Africa well against South Korea, where patience, organisation and clinical finishing proved enough to secure a famous victory.
Sunday presents an even sterner examination.
Beat Canada and Bafana will move into the World Cup’s last 16 for the first time in the nation’s history while adding another R66 million to an already remarkable campaign.
The stakes could hardly be higher, both on the pitch and on the balance sheet.
As South Africa marked the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising this Youth Day, PURA Beverage Co joined community members in Soweto for the Freedom Ride, a cycling event that brought together nearly 100 riders to commemorate the day.
Led by a convoy of PURA vans, cyclists travelled a 10-kilometre route through Soweto, passing landmarks including Vilakazi Street. Riders ranged from experienced cyclists to children taking part alongside family members, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the morning.
While the ride honoured the events of June 16, 1976, it was also a celebration of the role young people continue to play in their communities today.
For PURA Beverage Co, supporting the Freedom Ride was an opportunity to be part of a community event that reflects many of the values Youth Day represents: participation, resilience and bringing people together.
“Today was truly special as we joined the Freedom Ride in Soweto, commemorating 50 years since the Soweto Uprising,” said Jerry Matlejoane, Field Marketing Specialist at PURA Beverage Co.
“We had just under 100 cyclists parading through the streets, with children joining in as well. The atmosphere throughout the route was incredible and it was inspiring to see so many people come together to honour Youth Day in such a positive and meaningful way.”
Throughout the route, residents stopped to watch and support the riders as they moved through the streets of Soweto. Although organisers were unable to reach the Hector Pieterson Memorial due to the number of activities taking place in the area, the significance of the day remained front of mind for participants.
Fifty years after the Soweto Uprising, Youth Day continues to provide an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on the courage shown by the young people of 1976 and the impact their actions had on the country’s future.
For many of those taking part in the Freedom Ride, the day was about remembering that history while celebrating the energy and potential of today’s generation.
As the cyclists made their way through Soweto, one thing was evident: young people are still finding ways to come together, participate in their communities and play an active role in shaping the future of South Africa.
-ENDS-
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About Evolve Brands Inc. t/a The Pura Beverage Company: The Pura Beverage Company was founded in 2017 and has scaled rapidly to become an audacious global beverage company. Pura Soda is on a mission to create a movement around modern refreshment, by offering better-for-you drinks that break the tension between taste and refreshment, to celebrate and invite consumers to live a little PURA.
Media Enquiries Kerry du Toit for PURA Beverage Company Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 881 1843
The book was launched at Exclusive Books Sandton City on the 11th of June. The Hell Inside Our Heads was written by Brandon Fairweather, Brand Manager for Biogen South Africa, and he also fulfils a dual strategic role as Health Category Marketing Manager for Dis-Chem Pharmacies. He has more than two decades of experience in wellness, sports nutrition, and consumer health, yet this book is not written from the theory, it is bravely written from his own lived experience with crippling anxiety.
“We are not just launching a book, we are launching conversations that we’ve avoided for far too long. Because the truth is, every single one of us here is battling some kind of silent struggle, whether we like to admit it or not. Some of us wear that struggle openly. Some of us hide it behind humour, confidence, perfection, productivity, work, whatever it is,” said Jon Boynton-Lee the emcee and close friend of Fairweather. The two were talking about impossible dreams over coffee and Fairweather’s impossible dream was to write a book and Boynton-Lee’s was to write and star in a movie. A couple of years later, they have both done it.
Born with a congenital aortic valve defect, Fairweather was always destined for open-heart surgery but never expected to need it at just 28 years of age. Following the successful heart surgery, he experienced several further complications, including a stroke ten years later, followed by a devastating, life-threatening loss of blood in the same year. Adding insult to injury was a brutal cancer diagnosis in 2023, after a misdiagnosis the year before, and a successful fight to remission.
Fairweather said, “The book is about a simple idea that changed my life. It’s about a mission to share a message with as many people as possible and hopefully make their journeys through life just a little bit lighter. That idea found me at the lowest point in my life, where I experienced debilitating levels of anxiety to the point that I just made a decision that this can’t be for nothing. And I think that’s become a central theme of this book is to turn pain into purpose and to use your adversity for your advantage.”
This is an inspirational journaling of thoughts and a discovery of meaning and peace born from the depths of severe anxiety. The aim of this book is simple: to feel healed, healthy and stronger, while offering practical, effective lessons to navigate mental health struggles with greater ease.
This deeply personal account of life at the height of severe anxiety combines vulnerability, authenticity, humour, and practical solutions to help manage day-to-day anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It’s a patient’s perspective, filled with golden nuggets of coping mechanisms and processes aimed at short- to medium-term peace and recovery.
It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s deeply human. And above all, it’s hopeful.
Fairweather reassured attendees that he did intend to write a second book, The Hell Inside Our Heads, Sports Edition, a story worth telling, around high performing athletes and coaches and the mental struggles they content with, and rise above.
The book is intentionally structured as a non-profit project, with all proceeds redirected toward purchasing additional copies for donation and support for nominated charities in time.
Available from Exclusive Books, Estoril Books, selective Bargain Books and Reader’s Warehouse, Takealot, Amazon, Loot.co.za also available on e-readers via Amazon Kindle and Apple Books and https://traceymcdonaldpublishers.com
Hollard has donated R1 200 000 to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, with every rand raised by the purple speedo-clad heroes who took part in the 2025 Daredevil Run. At the same event, the 2026 campaign was officially launched and South African men will be called upon to lace up, strip down and do it all again!
Seventeen years in and the Hollard Daredevil Run shows no signs of putting its trousers back on. Under this year’s tagline “Lekker Balls; Lekker Life”, the 2026 cheque handover and campaign launch took place today at Hollard Campus in Parktown, Johannesburg.
The R1.2 million raised in the 2025 Hollard Daredevil Run was formally handed over to CANSA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to fund awareness campaigns, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening and patient support. “The Hollard Daredevil Run is an unforgettable experience that raises awareness in a fun, engaging manner and sparks dialogue about men’s health in a non-threatening way,” says Hazel Chimhandamba, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Hollard.
“In 2024, we raised R1 million, 100% of which went directly to supporting prostate and testicular cancer awareness programmes. We are incredibly grateful to every Daredevil who dared to run in a purple speedo. It takes a special kind of bravery to turn heads for something that truly matters. Because behind all the laughs is a very serious mission: getting more men to check in on their health and each other,” adds Hazel.
The stakes are real. Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in South African men. One in eight men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with Black African men facing a 60% higher risk than other population groups. South Africa’s mortality rate due to prostate cancer is particularly high, largely due to underscreening, sociocultural stigmas and lack of health education.
Testicular cancer, while less widespread, is most common in young men aged 15-49, affecting approximately 1 in every 250 males. When caught early, it is highly treatable. A two-minute self-examination can detect lumps, swelling, or changes early, that’s considerably less time than it takes to run 5km in a purple speedo and the payoff is just as big.
A simple Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test for men over 40 can detect elevated protein levels before a single symptom appears. “The Hollard Daredevil donation is the largest single donation the PCF receives each year,” says Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. “The funds help PCF distribute accurate, multilingual educational material and keep free PSA screening programmes running nationwide.”
He goes on to say that the run has also contributed to the development of South Africa’s first comprehensive prostate cancer registry, launching in 2026, which will track incidence, treatment and outcomes. The campaign further funds PCF’s helpline and support networks for men and families navigating a diagnosis.
Lorraine Govender, National Manager: Health Programmes of CANSA states, “The Hollard Daredevil Run has become far more than a fundraising event – it’s helped build a national movement that encourages men to speak openly about their health and seek help sooner. We are incredibly grateful to Hollard and every participant whose courage and commitment enable CANSA to continue providing awareness, early detection, screening and support services to men across South Africa.”
The event returns to Zoo Lake in Johannesburg on Friday, 23 October at 3pm with participants elsewhere able to register and run in their own neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools or universities anywhere in the country.
Registrations for the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run open from 1 July and tickets will be available from Ticketpro at R200, which includes the courier of a registration pack and a complimentary purple speedo.
Sinesipho Dambile arrived in Doha chasing another strong performance. He left with a Diamond League trophy, a personal best and a place in South African athletics history.
The 24-year-old stormed to victory in the men’s 200m over the weekend night, clocking a career-best 19.74 seconds to claim his maiden Diamond League title.
In the furnace-like conditions of the Qatari capital, with temperatures hovering around 37°C and a legal tailwind of 1.8 m/s, Dambile produced a race that was equal parts power and precision.
Running in lane five, he exited the blocks cleanly and attacked the bend with purpose. By the time the field straightened up for the home run, the South African had already edged ahead.
Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba and Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando mounted a late challenge, but Dambile never looked troubled. His stride remained smooth and controlled as he powered clear over the closing metres.
The clock stopped at 19.74 seconds, trimming 0.03 seconds off his previous best and confirming the rich vein of form he has carried throughout the season.
“This is my fourth Diamond League event. I am having the best season of my life thus far. I am still building and can get even better,” Dambile said afterwards.
The result is another significant step for an athlete whose ambitions stretch well beyond Doha.
“I want to get gold at the Commonwealth Games and then go to the Ultimate Championships. I’ve never been to the Commonwealth Games before and would like to experience it. I’m also looking forward to the final Diamond League in Brussels.“
His triumph completed an unprecedented South African sprint clean sweep across the Diamond League circuit this season.
Gift Leotlelaopened the account in the 100m in Shanghai. Zakithi Nene followed in the 400m in Stockholm. Dambile’s Doha victory ensured South Africa has now produced Diamond League winners across all three major sprint distances in the same season for the first time.
The country’s sprint programme has often promised much. In 2026, it is cashing in those promises.
An Athletics South Africa spokesperson hailed the achievement.
“Sinesipho’s performance is a testament to the talent, commitment and growing strength of South African sprinting. His success reflects the progress being made across the sprint events and serves as inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.”
With Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and September’s Ultimate Championships looming, Dambile’s season is gathering momentum.
For now, the fastest thing in Doha was not the tailwind. It was a South African sprinter finding another gear.
The race to make sport safer is gathering pace, and in Cape Town the baton was firmly placed in African hands.
More than 400 delegates from around the world converged on the University of Cape Town for the Safe Sport Global Conference, where World Athletics and World Rugbyjoined forces to strengthen safeguarding systems and elevate athlete welfare across the continent and beyond.
Held from 25 to 27 May and opening on Africa Day, the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, administrators and safeguarding practitioners in a shared pursuit of a sporting environment where athletes can thrive free from abuse, exploitation and harm.
At the heart of the gathering was a message that resonated through lecture halls and panel discussions alike.
“Safer sport is not built by one discipline, one organisation or one country alone. It depends on shared responsibility, deeper understanding, and stronger systems,” said Associate Professor David Maralack,Head of Department at the School of Management Studies at UCT.
In many ways, the conference embodied that philosophy.
Like teammates linking arms in a defensive line or runners working together through a punishing headwind, World Athletics and World Rugby used the event to create new partnerships, share expertise and strengthen safeguarding networks throughout Africa.
Maralack also highlighted the significance of hosting the conference on African soil.
“Hosting the conference at UCT placed African scholarship and lived experience at the forefront of this important dialogue, challenging the historical dominance of perspectives shaped elsewhere.”
For years, safeguarding conversations have often been driven by frameworks developed in Europe and North America. In Cape Town, African experiences moved from the margins to the centre of the field.
The collaboration between athletics and rugby was far more than a symbolic handshake. It reflected a growing recognition that safeguarding challenges are shared across sports and that solutions are often stronger when organisations work side by side.
“The Safe Sport 2026 Conference came at an opportune time for World Rugby/Africa Rugby and World Athletics/African Athletics, as both sports are establishing safeguarding focal points across their African member unions and associations,” said Global Safe Sport Conference Coordinator Norman Brook.
“Both organisations participated in the conference and hosted related side events, including a joint session where rugby and athletics safeguarding officers explored ways to build regional and national support networks.”
The three-day programme examined how safeguarding commitments can be transformed from policy documents into everyday practice. Research presentations, workshops, stakeholder dialogues and keynote sessions tackled topics ranging from athlete welfare and leadership accountability to international cooperation and policy implementation.
World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit contributed expertise through discussions on continental safeguarding networks, trauma-informed case management and the relationship between integrity and athlete protection.
Away from the formal programme, 15 safeguarding leads from African athletics federations met to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and build relationships designed to strengthen athlete protection across the continent. Working alongside World Rugby representatives, delegates forged connections that organisers hope will outlast the conference itself.
“The safeguarding officer role can sometimes feel isolating, with few people available for advice,” he said.
“By working together, Rugby and Athletics have created a practical way to provide mutual, on-the-ground support across their networks.”
The importance of collaboration emerged as one of the event’s defining themes.
Neal Andersen, CEO of Safe Sport International, said that at its core “safe sport is the only sport that matters”.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe safeguarding officer Tawanda Mutero said the conference demonstrated growing global commitment to athlete safety.
“It emphasised listening to athletes and putting them first. Collaboration was highlighted as key to making sport safer for everyone.”
Athletics Namibia safeguarding officer Victoria Tilovanhu Katukula echoed those sentiments.
“The Safe Sport Conference provided a valuable opportunity for networking with professionals committed to creating safer sporting environments. My takeaway is that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and it is not done overnight.”
That message became the conference’s enduring refrain.
Safeguarding is not a sprint to be won in a single season. It is a marathon requiring patience, vigilance and collective effort. Strong policies matter, although culture, education and accountability ultimately determine whether athletes feel protected.
As delegates departed Cape Town, the conference concluded with a call to carry the Safe Sport legacy forward.
The final whistle may have sounded on three days of discussion. The work of protecting athletes, however, continues every day in training grounds, boardrooms, clubhouses and classrooms across the world.
If the conference achieved one thing, it was reinforcing a simple truth. Athlete safety is not the responsibility of a select few. It belongs to everyone who shares the field, the track and the future of sport.
Safeguarding is not a sprint to be won in a single season. It is a marathon requiring patience, vigilance and collective effort. Strong policies matter, although culture, education and accountability ultimately determine whether athletes feel protected.
As delegates departed Cape Town, the conference concluded with a call to carry the Safe Sport legacy forward.
The final whistle may have sounded on three days of discussion, although the real work has only begun.
If the conference achieved one thing, it was reinforcing a simple truth. Athlete safety is not the responsibility of a select few. It belongs to everyone who shares the field, the track and the future of sport.
The 2026 Comrades Marathon delivered many memorable performances on the gruelling 85.777km journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, though few stories captured the spirit of the race quite like those of Johannes Mosehla and Bailey O’Leary.
Separated by 64 years in age, the pair finished the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race as its oldest and youngest official finishers.
Mosehla, 84, crossed the line in 11:12:26 on Sunday to break his own record as the oldest finisher in Comrades history. In doing so, the Polokwane Running Club member finished ahead of thousands of runners many decades his junior.
The veteran runner, who began his running journey in 1963, said the achievement was a source of pride and gratitude.
“To be the oldest finisher at Comrades is a great honour,” said Mosehla.
“This race continues to inspire me every year. Running has given me so much throughout my life. I hope my journey encourages people to stay active, stay disciplined and keep chasing their goals regardless of age.”
“You must listen to your body, eat well, rest properly and enjoy what you are doing. Running should bring happiness. I still love training in the mountains and spending time outdoors.”
While Mosehla represented experience and endurance, O’Leary embodied youthful ambition.
The 20-year-old, who lives in the United Kingdom and whose parents are both originally from Durban, finished her Comrades debut in 10:42:51 to become the youngest female finisher in this year’s race.
Her first Comrades was made even more special by sharing the journey with her father, Jon O’Leary.
Proud dad Jon O’ Leary with his daughter Bailey O’ Leary at the Comrades Winners breakfast on Monday 15 June 2026. Photo: Adnaan Mohamed
“I grew up supporting my dad and listening to stories about Comrades,” said Bailey.
“He inspired my love for the race and it was always my dream to run my first Comrades with him. He helped me a lot, especially in the first half, and crossing the finish line was incredibly special.”
For Jon, the day was about far more than another medal.
“It was one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said.
“Comrades means so much to our family. To see Bailey achieve her goal and share the experience with her from start to finish was unforgettable.”
As the Comrades Marathon prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2027, both runners have already confirmed their intention to return.
Mosehla will aim to extend his remarkable record, while O’Leary hopes to secure a special back-to back medal awarded to novices for consecutive finishes.
Bailey O’ Leary in action on the 2026 Comrades Marathon Up Run Route Photo: Supplied
Their stories served as a powerful reminder that Comrades remains a race where generations meet, dreams endure and the finish line belongs to anyone willing to keep moving forward.
The global fitness racing phenomenon reached historic heights as the Virgin Active HYROX Johannesburg event completely rewrote the record books over the weekend of 30 – 31 May 2026. Taking over the expansive halls of the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec, the event officially became the largest HYROX competition on the African continent to date, proving that the local appetite for fitness racing is growing at an unprecedented rate.
As the official title partner, Virgin Active anchored an electric, high-octane weekend that brought together elite competitors, first-time racers, and a massive community of fitness enthusiasts.
The weekend delivered staggering participation across the board, setting a soaring new benchmark for African fitness racing. Over 8,100 athletes stepped into the Roxzone to conquer the signature HYROX format (alternating eight 1km runs with eight grueling functional workout stations) to form the largest starting field in South African history. Among them were 595 competitors who took on the Pro divisions, battling both the ticking clock and Johannesburg’s notorious 1,750-meter altitude.
This historic turnout also signaled a powerful shift in the sport’s demographics. Women made up an impressive 55% of the total field, while the highly competitive 30–34 age bracket emerged as the weekend’s largest contingent, accounting for more than 21% of all racers. Proving the event’s massive regional draw, this competitive spirit extended far beyond South African borders, pulling in prominent athlete squads and roaring support crews from Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini.
The incredible athletic performance was matched point-for-point by the supportive energy of the spectators. A record-shattering crowd of over 9,000 passionate spectators packed the Expo Centre, making it the largest spectator turnout the event has ever seen, turning the venue into a roaring cauldron of support.
“Eight thousand one hundred athletes is the largest crowd we’ve ever seen at a HYROX event on this continent,” said Dean Kowarski, Group CEO of Virgin Active. “That’s a signal worth paying attention to. People want more than just a place to train, they want community, a challenge, and a wellness ecosystem that supports all of it. And we’re proud that Virgin Active is built for exactly this moment.”
Simon Goldsbrough, HYROX South Africa Race Director, echoed this excitement: “Johannesburg completely raised the bar. The energy inside the Expo Centre across both days
was absolutely magic. To achieve a 55% female field and our highest athlete count to date shows that the ‘sport of the everyday athlete’ has found a massive, permanent home in South Africa. We are deeply grateful to our partners and the roaring crowd that carried these competitors across the finish line.”
The historic scale and smooth execution of the race were made possible through the collaboration of major global and local lifestyle brands. Alongside title partner Virgin Active, an incredible roster of event partners brought world-class activation zones, recovery lounges, and nutritional support to the venue.
With record participation, a female-led field, a massive cross-border turnout, and unparalleled crowd support, the May 2026 Virgin Active HYROX Johannesburg event solidifies fitness racing not just as a passing trend, but as one of the fastest-growing mainstays in African sports culture.
About HYROX:
HYROX is the Global Fitness Race for Every Body. Launched in 2017, HYROX has become the world’s largest indoor fitness race, hosted in over 30 countries. The standardised format allows athletes of all levels to compete against their own personal bests and a global leaderboard.
About Virgin Active:
Virgin Active is South Africa’s leading health and wellness club network. Through its multi-year partnership with HYROX, Virgin Active provides specialised training programmes, accredited trainers, and world-class recovery facilities to support the fitness journey of every South African athlete.
For more information, race results, or to register for upcoming events, visit www.hyroxsa.com. Media Contact:
The countdown to the 2026 Totalsports Women’s Racehas begun, and while thousands will toe the start line in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg this August, some participants are already carrying victories far greater than any finish medal.
For cancer survivors such as Selina Govender, Rayghanah Cassiem and Ntokozo Dludla, every kilometre covered is a declaration of resilience. Their stories form part of the beating heart of an event that continues to blend fitness, friendship and fundraising through its partnership with PinkDrive.
Set to take place on three consecutive Sundays in August, the race has become a moving mosaic of courage, where the famous sea of pink flows through city streets like a river of hope.
Govender, from Merebank in Durban, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with widespread bone metastasis in August 2021 at the age of 37. What followed was a marathon few could imagine: a mastectomy, lymph node removal, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone-strengthening infusions and ongoing endocrine therapy.
Selina Govender Photo: Supplied
“Almost five years later, my scans remain clear. I continue with endocrine therapy and bone infusions. Cancer taught me that we can’t always control what life throws at us, but we can control how we rise above it. Pay attention to your body. Listen to the small signs. Never skip your check-ups and, above all, never lose hope,” said Govender.
A regular participant since 2017, she will once again line up for the 10km event in Durban.
“I walk due to no longer being able to run. The movement helps with circulation and supports keeping my bones strong and the rest of my body healthy. The Totalsports Women’s Race is a powerful celebration of women that focuses on health and charity. It is a ‘must-do’ event for women in South Africa, offering a fun, well-organised, and meaningful experience that blends healthy living with a powerful message of empowerment. I’m always in awe of the atmosphere, especially the ‘sea of pink’ and camaraderie among participants. Not forgetting the amazing views along the route, which remind us just how beautiful Durban is.”
In Cape Town, Cassiem’s journey reads like a script that repeatedly refused to follow its expected ending. Diagnosed with breast cancer during Women’s Month in 2005 at age 46 and given five years to live, she has now spent more than two decades proving predictions can sometimes stumble while determination keeps running.
Rayghanah Cassiem Photo: Supplied
“Being given a second chance at life changed everything for me,” said Cassiem. “Before my diagnosis, I was simply existing as a mother and wife. Afterward, I truly started living, appreciating life’s simple blessings and embracing new challenges. I took up hiking, dragon boat paddling, and road running, things I never imagined I would do.”
Her journey later included a recurrence that advanced to stage 4 disease.
“At 50, I experienced a recurrence of breast cancer in my sternum, which took me to Stage 4. I was told it was advanced and incurable, instead of giving up, it strengthened my resolve to live fully.”
Today she volunteers in cancer care outreach programmes, carrying hope like a relay baton.
“Today, I dedicate my time to outreach programmes at cancer care homes, using my journey to inspire and give hope. Cancer has taught me not to take a single day for granted. I have participated in the Totalsports Women’s Race for many years. It has become a special part of my journey. Reconnecting with familiar faces and the shared sense of purpose is incredibly uplifting. Sport helps me cope with the challenges of cancer and supports my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It reminds me that my body is still strong and capable.”
Johannesburg entrant Dludla knows the emotional turbulence that arrives with a diagnosis.
“It was an overwhelming experience, fear and confusion all came rushing at once. The unknown was the hardest part,” she admitted.
“The journey was not easy: doctor’s appointments, tests, and treatment. It felt like my life revolved around hospitals and waiting rooms. My support system became my anchor, and family, friends, and even strangers showed me kindness and love in ways I will never forget. They reminded me that I am not alone in this fight.”
Her message to fellow patients is simple.
“Cancer can feel overwhelming when you think too far ahead. My advice is to focus on getting through one appointment, one treatment, and one moment at a time.”
For Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports, these stories embody the race’s deeper purpose.
“The Totalsports Women’s Race is built on the strength, courage, and resilience of women like Selina, Rayghanah, and Ntokozo, whose stories continue to inspire and unite us. This event is far more than a race, it is a powerful platform for awareness, connection, and hope. Through our partnership with PinkDrive, we are reminded of the importance of early detection, ongoing education, and support, while celebrating the incredible spirit of women who continue to show up, push forward, and uplift one another in the face of adversity.”
As race day approaches, the roads of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg are preparing for more than a running event. They are preparing to host thousands of footsteps carrying stories of survival, strength and stubborn hope. In a world that often sprints past life’s important lessons, these women are setting the pace.
