Category: News

By Adnaan Mohamed

In the fast lane of Durban’s Suncoast promenade, where pounding feet paint a picture of power and purpose, the queen of last year’s race, Christine Njoki, is back—and this time, she’s not just chasing a title, but perhaps history itself.

The Kenyan dynamo, who scorched the tarmac in 2024 with a blistering 31-minute victory in the Totalsports Women’s Race, is returning to defend her crown on Sunday, 3 August 2025.

Last year, she cut through the humid coastal air like a hot blade through butter, leaving a world-class field in her slipstream. But this year, the stakes are higher—a R1 million carrot dangles ahead for the first woman to break the Women’s Only 10km World Record of 29:27.

Christine, already a two-city champion after conquering both Durban and Cape Town, is striding back into familiar territory with the graceful ferocity of a cheetah returning to its hunting ground.

“My experience at the Totalsports Women’s Race Durban was amazing—there was incredible energy from both the runners and the organisers,” she says. 

“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.”

But for Christine, this race is more than just a victory lap—it’s a celebration of resilience, femininity, and the everyday battles women overcome.

“Not only does the event celebrate women’s passion and hard work, but it also acknowledges the unique challenges we face. It’s truly an honour to compete in such an empowering race.”

Durban’s beachfront will become a battleground where elite feet fly and hearts race. Among the top contenders are fellow Kenyan Jane Ghati Chacha, who’s fresh off a win in Gqeberha, Lesotho’s ever-tenacious Neheng Khatala, and South Africa’s own Tayla Kavanagh, each of them sharpening their spikes for a shot at glory—and gold.

The million-rand world record incentive has added an electric charge to the starting line, turning a race into a revolution.

“It’s an incredibly motivating incentive,” Christine admits.

“Every woman lining up in Durban will give her best to challenge the world record. It’s a powerful statement that 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.”

For Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports, Christine’s return is like bringing fire back to the flame.

“We are thrilled to welcome Christine Njoki, the reigning Totalsports Women’s Race Champion in both Durban and Cape Town, back to Durban for what promises to be an electrifying day of world-class women’s racing. Christine’s return adds incredible excitement to this year’s event, and we can’t wait to see her in action.”

But the Totalsports Women’s Race isn’t just a fast-footed showdown. It’s a moving tribute to women across South Africa and beyond, from Olympians to everyday heroines. The race supports PinkDrive, a non-profit fighting breast cancer through awareness, education, and mobile screening for the medically uninsured.

And as if the day wasn’t already humming with energy, South African songbird Lady Zamar will lift spirits even higher with her soulful, empowering performance, providing the perfect soundtrack for a day where strength, unity, and speed collide.

From the rhythmic drumbeat of thousands of running shoes to the emotional resonance of solidarity, the Totalsports Women’s Race is more than a competition—it’s a celebration, a movement, and maybe this year, the scene of a world record.

So, as the sun rises over Snell Parade, all eyes will be on Christine Njoki—the defending champion, ready to blaze another unforgettable trail through Durban’s streets.

By Adnaan Mohamed

By the time Glenrose Xaba toes the start line at SuperSport Park on 2 August, she won’t just be chasing another victory—she’ll be sprinting toward legacy. The reigning queen of the SPAR Grand Prix Series has already blazed through the first two legs in Cape Town and Durban, leaving a trail of scorched tarmac in her wake. 

Now, with Tshwane looming on the horizon, Glenrose is poised to lace up for what could be a defining third straight win in this year’s women-only 10km road running saga.

Like a finely-tuned engine running on confidence and grit, Glenrose arrives in Centurion fresh off a record-breaking triumph at the Foskor Half-Marathon, where she stopped the clock at 1:10:03—toppling Elana Meyer’s long-standing course mark and capturing her sixth national 21km crown.

“This gives me more confidence and I’m looking forward to having a good race in Tshwane because I want to keep my SPAR Grand Prix title,” she said, her words brimming with purpose. 

“I want to motivate black athletes, women and upcoming athletes to know they can achieve anything. The SPAR Grand Prix series is where I started as a road runner. I love the SPAR women’s only races, so to win it again will be a motivation not only for me but for other athletes as well.”

But in the high-speed theatre of the Grand Prix, nothing is gifted—only earned in sweat and lung-busting surges.

Rivals on Her Heels

Breathing down Glenrose’s neck is Ethiopian dynamo Selam Gebre (Nedbank), trailing by just three points in the overall standings. Gebre, sharp as a spike on the track, will be hunting for an upset and ready to snatch the yellow bib from Glenrose’s shoulders.

And the elite women’s pack is anything but passive. Karabo Mailula (Tuks), Ethiopian teammate Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), and Boxer’s formidable quartet—Cacisile Sosibo, Zanthe Taljaard, Lebo Phalula, and Carina Swiegers—are all poised to pounce should Xaba falter.

 Adding further spice to the mix is Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya, the Hollywood Athletics ace Cian Oldknow, and seasoned campaigner Kesa Molotsane, all capable of turning the race into a tactical chess match on legs.

Age is Just a Number

The veterans are also running their own battles within the war. Lebo Phalula, already shining in the open field, has been untouchable in the 40-49 division. Boxer’s Judy Bird is aiming for a third consecutive win in the 60+ category, while Wiepke Schoeman looks to extend her junior dominance. The 50-59 age group remains the tightest of them all, with Anne Stewart holding a slim four-point cushion over Elizabeth Potter—a rivalry as finely balanced as a photo finish.

The Route: No Easy Miles

The Tshwane course is no flat parade lap—it’s a rolling gauntlet. Starting and finishing at SuperSport Park, runners will wind through a patchwork of suburbia and commerce, with the road rising sharply early on, like a question posed to the legs: how much do you really want this?

At 7.3km, the course crests at 1,469 meters—altitude and fatigue teaming up to test every athlete’s resolve. But what goes up must come down, and the final kilometres promise a flying descent back to 1,417 meters, tailor-made for those with something left in the tank.

This isn’t just a race. It’s a crucible of courage, a celebration of feminine strength, and a proving ground for greatness.

For Glenrose, a third straight win would cement her dominance. But with the field stacked and the hills unforgiving, she’ll need to run not just with her legs, but with her heart. Because in Tshwane, legends aren’t born—they’re raced into being.

By Adnaan Mohamed

In the deep blue cauldron of the Singapore Sports Hub, Pieter Coetzé sliced through the water like a torpedo on a mission, delivering South Africa’s first medal at the World Aquatics Championships — and not just any medal, but gold, shimmering like sunlight on a still pool.

The 21-year-old backstroke specialist, who entered the final as the third-fastest qualifier, summoned a storm over the last 50 metres of the 100m backstroke final. Powering past Olympic titans like Italy’s Thomas Ceccon and France’s Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, Pieter touched the wall in a breathtaking African record of 51.85 seconds — just a fingernail away (.25) from Ceccon’s world record.

For much of the race, it looked like the tide might turn in Ceccon’s favour. But the Pretoria based swimmer surged with the calm fury of a rip current, dragging hopes and records in his wake. Ceccon finished second in 51.90, Ndoye-Brouard third in 51.92, while Olympic 200m champion Hubert Kos was left gasping in fourth at 52.20.

“It was awesome,” beamed Pieter, still dripping with victory. 

“I always thought it would happen eventually,” Pieter reflected poolside. 

“The competition was very deep here, so there were eight guys who could have won it. I knew that going into it and to get away with the win is awesome.”

“In my mind, it was just a matter of time, but to do it this year is amazing.”

The psychology student from TUKS, whose mental strength matches his physical prowess, was unfazed by the stopwatch.

“It was more about the win tonight than the time. If I won with a second slower time, it would still be as good. I think in a final, you don’t really think about the time at all.”

Now, with golden momentum in his stroke, Coetzé sets his sights on the 50m and 200m backstroke events — the rest of the field has been warned: the shark has tasted blood.

Meanwhile, another South African young gun made a splash. Chris Smith, just 19, blitzed his 50m breaststroke heat in 26.82 and dropped even more time in the semifinals, clocking a personal best 26.77 to qualify joint fifth for Wednesday’s final. Only Koen de Groot of the Netherlands was faster in the semis, swimming 26.71.

Aimee Canny, ever consistent, reached the semifinals of the 200m freestyle after a solid morning swim of 1:57.53, but couldn’t match the pace in the evening, placing 12th overall with 1:57.72.

Wednesday promises more ripples from the South African camp. Smith will dive back into the fray for the 50m breaststroke final, while Olivia Nel — fresh from a medal-laden campaign at the World University Games — will test the waters in the 50m backstroke heats. Matt Sates is also set to stir things up in the 200m individual medley, and Team SA will plunge into the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

One night in Singapore, Pieter Coetzé showed the world that South African swimming isn’t just staying afloat — it’s surging forward with tidal force.