Christine Njoki, SA all-comers record holder, targets another Totalsports Women’s Race victory

After dominating the field in Durban on Sunday, 4 August 2024, during her Totalsports Women’s Race debut, Kenya’s Christine Njoki, the current SA all-comers record holder, has set her sights on a second Totalsports Women’s Race victory, this time in Cape Town on Friday, 9 August 2024 (National Women’s Day).

“I had a good race in Durban. My target was to run under 30 minutes, but we had some wind on the course which made it tough,” says Njoki. “In Cape Town my target will once again be to run under 30 minutes. This will be the first time that I race in Cape Town and the first time that I visit Cape Town. I don’t worry about competition, because as an athlete you must face any challenge. That is the only way that you can win the race.”

Adding to the excitement of Friday’s race in the Mother City, the battle will continue between South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba and Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare:   

This past weekend, Glenrose Xaba achieved a long-awaited victory over Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare, when she crossed the finish line ahead of her longstanding rival at the Spar Women’s Race in Tshwane. This Friday, the duo will face off once more, this time at the Totalsports Women’s Race in the magnificent Mother City.

No stranger to the Totalsports Women’s Race, Xaba who is also the newly crowned SA 10km record holder, has claimed the top spot on the podium in Durban once and in Joburg twice during her illustrious career.

“I love that the Totalsports Women’s Race honors women and encourages them to stay healthy and fit,” says Xaba. “This race is close to my heart because it takes place during Women’s Month and supports PinkDrive, an organisation that helps those diagnosed with cancer. I also appreciate that it’s a women’s-only race, providing a vital opportunity for women to network and support each other in sports.”

In closing, Xaba adds: “My message to fellow entrants is to enjoy the experience and stay positive. With faith and determination, there’s no such thing as impossible.”

Xaba won’t rest on her laurels though, as Tadu Nare has proven to be a formidable opponent with an impressive list of accolades. Nare secured 1st place at the Mandela Bay Half Marathon in 2024, 5th place at the Chicago Marathon in 2023, and 1st place at both the Copenhagen Half Marathon and Valencia Marathon in 2022—the latter with the 12th fastest time in history. She also claimed victory in her debut marathon at the Barcelona Marathon in 2021. Additionally, Nare boasts an outstanding personal best 10km time of 31:13.

According to Nare, it’s wonderful that the Totalsports Women’s Race honors women as they are the cornerstone of families and communities. “I like that it’s a women’s only race as we get to push hard at the front of the race. It builds confidence. I entered the Cape Town event because I personally like to run fast, flat races. More importantly I like to represent my club, Nedbank, as they are a great team. Through my performance I want to show that our team is the best in South Africa and the world. My goal on race day is to run my best.”

Other top contenders to look out for will include Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre, Diniya Abaraya and Ebste Btaw and Kenya’s Marion Chepkoech to mention just a few.

EVENT INFORMATION: Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town 2024 

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