Category: News

By Adnaan Mohamed

In the high-altitude lungs of Johannesburg, where every hill feels like it’s tugging at your shoelaces, Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre found her extra gear and left a record field of 12,000 women in her slipstream.

At the season finale of the Totalsports Women’s Race at Marks Park on Sunday, she broke the tape in 33 minutes 27 seconds on a tough hilly route in ideal sunny weather conditions. The 23-year-old was rewarded with R30 000 for her efforts.

“I’m tired from my travels to Ethiopia and back and could feel it in my legs this morning,” Gebre confessed, catching her breath after a solo breakaway.

“There was one runner (Neheng Khatala) with me for a big part of the race. I just had to keep moving. She eventully runner got tired and dropped off. I kept going. The course was tough and hilly. However, I am very happy to be first today. It motivates me for my next event.”

For Gebre, who first joined the Totalsports series in 2024, believes it’s an event where women showcase their mileage of sacrifice and training.

“The organisers are very nice and always invite me to race,” she smiled.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race is special because it gives women the opportunity to show themselves and all their hard work.”

Trailing in her wake was Lesotho’s 10km record holder Neheng Khatala. The Hollywood Athletic Club runner claimed second, proving consistency is its own victory after completing all three races in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg this year.

 “I’m very excited with my second position today,” said Khatala.

“I executed the race very well. For the first time I did all three races. I am so proud of myself. I hope to do it next year again.”

Kenya’s Debrah Cherotich rounded off the podium in third, but it was local legs that drew the loudest cheers.

South Africa’s Karabo Mailula sprinted home in fourth, clocking a credible 35:09.

“It feels great to represent South Africa well,” said Mailula, who admitted the Joburg course is always a hill too honest.

“I didn’t know the course, but my teammate told me it was going to be difficult. I knew it, because Jozi is always difficult. I was aiming for a better time, but I think that I have improved. I am happy with the result, position four, it’s fine for me.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race is doing a great job… I can encourage other girls to come and enjoy the race. It gives the opportunity to all the ladies around.”

For organisers, this wasn’t just a race, but the exclamation mark on a three-city sentence written by 2025’s women runners.

“Congratulations to Selam Gebre on a well-earned victory,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.

“We also extend our sincere thanks to the 12,000 women who participated, the supporters who lined the streets, and our valued sponsors and partners who made this event possible for the entire 2025 series. The Totalsports Women’s Race continues to be a platform for unity, empowerment, and positivity and we’re already looking forward to what the future holds.”

Head of Marketing at Totalsports, Nikki Crous, echoed the sentiment, calling the Joburg leg a triumphant lap of honour.

“The streets of Johannesburg came alive as 12,000 women ran united in the final leg of the Totalsports Women’s Race. It was truly inspiring to witness the joy on route, a powerful reminder of the impact of celebrating women through sport. Here’s to the incredible women who continue to show up, lift each other up, and run with purpose. Until next year, keep running united!”

The Durban race on August 3 attracted 10 000 participants, while Cape Town boasted a whopping 15 000 runners on National Women’s Day on August 9.

And so, the curtain falls on the 2025 series, its footprints etched across Durban’s coastline, Cape Town’s mountain shadows, and Joburg’s hilly streets. For Gebre and her rivals, it was another chapter of sweat turned into triumph. For the rest, it was proof that when women run together, the finish line is only the beginning.

By Adnaan Mohamed

The streets of Johannesburg are about to turn pink, powerful, and pulsing with energy. On Sunday, 17 August 2025, 12 000 women runners, walkers, and warriors will flood the city for the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg, the grand finale of a three-part national celebration of fitness, fun, and female strength.

Front and centre in this sea of determination will be two young athletes whose names echo with promise, Karabo More, newly crowned South African 5km champion, and Karabo Mailula, the 2025 USSA 10 000m champion. Their paths converge here, at the intersection of speed, spirit, and sisterhood.

For More, the race is about more than medals.

“Being part of an event that empowers women through sport is incredibly meaningful,” she says.

“It’s about celebrating women’s strength, resilience, and determination. Sport has the power to unite, inspire, and empower women of all backgrounds and fitness levels. It can have a profound impact on women’s lives by fostering confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment.”

But make no mistake she’s also here to perform.

To the thousands who will lace up alongside her, More’s advice is as heartfelt as it is empowering:

“My goal is to run smart and finish strong. I look forward to running with the strong girls because they build my confidence, and as a young, upcoming athlete, it motivates me to be in the mix with the big sharks who have the experience. They’ve been there; they’ve done that. I just want to run my own race, and hopefully, I’ll get a personal best out of it.”

“By lacing up your running shoes and hitting the pavement, you’re joining a journey that transcends competition and celebrates womanhood. Keep your head up high and have fun. You’re a champion for starting and finishing the race. I’m proud of you, and remember, it’s all about you, so enjoy every moment.”

For Mailula, this will be her first time tasting the unique atmosphere of the Joburg leg.

“I look forward to trying out the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg course,” she says.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race values women and shows that they are capable of participating in sport while maintaining their health and well-being. I’m excited to finish strong, stay healthy, and achieve good results. My goal is a top 10 finish.”

Her message to the masses?

“Enjoy the race and continue participating in events like these to maintain your health.”

For Totalsports, having these two Karabos in the same line-up is a perfect ending to a spectacular series.

“It’s fantastic to have two rising stars like Karabo More and Karabo Mailula lining up at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Joburg,” says Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports.

“As the final event in an inspiring series of three, it’s bound to be a race and a day to remember. These talented young athletes embody the spirit of the event  celebrating strength, determination, and the power of women uplifting one another through sport.”

The 5km and 10km routes are designed for every level, from speed-chasers to first-time fun-runners, winding through Joburg’s streets with music, colour, and on-route entertainment.

At the finish in Marks Park, the celebration continues in a buzzing race village, where Lady Zamar will bring her signature voice and soulful, empowering lyrics to the stage, adding another beat to the rhythm of the day.

And as always, the race runs with a bigger purpose and that’s supporting PinkDrive, the non-profit dedicated to breast cancer awareness, education, and free screening for those without medical aid. Every stride, every smile, every heartbeat on the day will help fuel their mission.

Cape Town to Host the 2027 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships

By Adnaan Mohamed

For the first time in history, the world’s toughest trail runners will chase glory on African soil. In 2027, the Mother City will be primed to deliver a spectacle of grit and beauty  where Table Mountain’s postcard views hide the sting of steep climbs, rocky descents, and the kind of trails that turn champions into legends.

In October 2027, Cape Town will be the heartbeat of global trail running. For five days, from the 6th to the 10th, the Mother City will host the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, the first time the event will set foot on African soil.

The backdrop? Table Mountain, its flat crown slicing the sky, will stand like a stern race marshal overseeing the battle between 1,200 elite athletes from more than 80 nations. Lion’s Head will twist upwards like a coiled trail, daring runners to keep pace. A limited-entry public race will also give recreational runners the rare chance to test themselves on these world-famous trails.

Behind the bid is Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa (ASA), and Western Province Athletics (WPA). 

Golazo CEO Bob Verbeeck sees this as a launchpad:

“It gives us a flying start in South Africa… We will offer participants the opportunity to discover the Cape region and further promote the area as a paradise for active sports enthusiasts.”

On the global stage, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe frames the event as a continental milestone:

“It is always exciting when a major athletics event is staged in a new continent for the first time… I have every faith that Cape Town will prove to be spectacular hosts.”

For WPA President Farouk Meyer, the victory in securing the bid is more than symbolic:

“It strengthens our commitment to grow all disciplines within athletics and gives trail running a powerful platform to thrive. Partnering with Golazo South Africa allows us to deliver a world-class event that will energise our local athletics community, boost participation, and create a positive ripple effect for Cape Town’s tourism economy.”

James Moloi, ASA President, sees it as a stride into history: 

“We look forward to working with all partners to ensure that this historic championship sets a new benchmark and reinforces Africa’s place on the global athletics map.”

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis warns the beauty of the stage hides its sting:

“There is surely no better backdrop… But runners should not be fooled by her beauty and her fame. Table Mountain’s rugged trails and steep elevations will pose a stern challenge to elite runners and mass participants alike.”

Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, calls it “the mother of all races in the Mother City”:

“Our city is right up there as a bucket list destination for runners… Crossing the finish line in Cape Town is always a moment to celebrate.”

For Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the benefits are twofold:

“This continues to show that the Western Cape Government is fast becoming the hub for major sporting events. Events of this nature bring a boost to our local economy and assist in creating many jobs. We can’t wait to welcome runners to our picturesque city.”

The joint voice of Tomo Sarf, Nadeem Khan, and Janet Ng, the presidents of the three partnership associations captures the shared excitement:

“The sensational views of Cape Town and Table Mountain will form a fitting backdrop… Cape Town has had plenty of success hosting prestigious international events and we are looking forward to enjoying the races and the hospitality of the Cape.”

Born in the 1980s as two separate championships, the event merged in 2021 into a biennial test of grit across four senior races: classic (up and down), uphill, short trail, and long trail. U20 and mass-participation races complete the line-up.

Austria’s Innsbruck and Stubai raised the bar in 2023; Spain’s Canfranc-Pirineos takes the baton next month. 

But in 2027, the world’s best will turn to Cape Town’s trails to test their endurance and technical abilities to the utmost over some of the most spectacular and challenging trail routes on the global stage.