Totalsports Race Takes Three Cities by Storm on National Women’s Day

The streets of Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town were flooded with a “sea of pink” when close to 23 000 runners and walkers joined forces to celebrate National Women’s Day at the Totalsports Women’s Race on Friday, 9 August, 2019 in support of PinkDrive, proving that they are #StrongerTogether.

For the first time since the event’s inception in 2001, the Totalsports Women’s Race celebrated National Women’s Day on one day across three major cities.

Jenet Mbhele (Umzimkulu) was the first 10km runner to cross the finish line at the Kings Park Athletics Track in Durban.

“I was prepared to do well today.” – Jenet Mbhele, 2019 Totalsports Women’s 10km Durban champ

“I broke away from the leading group at round about the 5km mark and kept the lead. I am so happy to take first place. It has motivated me to continue doing well,” she said.

Mbhele claimed gold in an impressive time of 34 minutes 51 seconds. Jenna Challenor came in second, while Janie Grundling finished third.

Glenrose Xaba (Embalenle, Mpumalanga) took no prisoners in Johannesburg crossing the finish line at Mary Fitzgerald Square (Newtown) in a deserving time of 35 minutes 05 seconds.

“I am very happy with my race today!” – Glenrose Xaba, 2019 Totalsports Women’s 10km Johannesburg champ

“I enjoyed the course, it had hills. I broke away from the group on approximately the 1 – 2km mark and decided to go with my own pace. The Totalsports Women’s Race is an amazing race. The support and vibe is great. I like it. My year started on a rough note with injuries, so I feel very excited to cross the finish line first. I wanted to gain confidence. I am thankful to Totalsports for inviting me to race. I will definitely come back next year,” Xaba said.

Carina Viljoen came in second, while Kathryn van Meter finished third.

A very happy Annie Bothma (Mouille Point, Cape Town) successfully defended her title when she crossed the finish at Grand Parade (Cape Town CBD) in a time of 34 minutes 52 seconds.

“I came here with only one purpose.” – Annie Bothma, 2019 Totalsports Women’s 10km Johannesburg champ

“I didn’t really care about the time. I just wanted to defend my title.

“The race is challenging because it’s a very hilly course and I knew that Zintle (Xiniwe) is a very strong runner. I like this course because I am strong on hills. I repeated the mantra ‘conquer the hills you are stronger than the hills’. It feels incredible to successfully defend my title today. The vibe makes this race so special. It’s so beautiful to see all these women unite on one day and run together.”

Zintle Xiniwe came in second, while Beetrice Themane finished third.

The Race Also Donated Towards the PinkDrive NPC

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 was present at each event (Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town) 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 2019 Totalsports Women’s Race Prize Giving in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The 2019 Totalsports Women’s Race boasted a whopping combined Prize Purse of R123 600, that’s a total of R41 200 per city.

Spectators Were Also Kept Entertained in Each City

The Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town closed off on a high note with a live performance by singer-songwriter Paxton Fielies. Moonchild Sanelly’s energetic performance left Durbanites wanting more, while Hip Hop sensation Boity Thulo had Joburg residents tapping their feet.

 

Leading Results of the 10km Totalsports Women’s Race at the Kings Park Athletics Track in Durban, on National Women’s Day, Friday, 9 August, 2019:
1. Jenet Mbhele, 00:34:51
2. Jenna Challenor, 00:35:19
3. Janie Grundling, 00:37:19
4. Lara Orrock, 00:38:18
5. Michelle de Montille, 00:38:32
6. Asta Kraus, 00:39:07
7. Janene Carey, 00:39:25
8. Nontobeko Ntuli, 00:40:10

 

Johannesburg: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown
1. Glenrose Xaba, 00:35:05
2. Carina Viljoen, 00:35:56
3. Kathryn van Meter, 00:37:07
4. Liza Kellerman, 00:37:42
5. Cornelia Joubert, 00:37:54
6. Lizerie Ferreira, 00:38:04
7. Rebecca Tebogo Mokgosinyane, 00:39:07
8. Ntombenhle Seabi, 00:39:29

 

Cape Town: Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD:
1. Annie Bothma, 00:34:52
2. Zintle Xiniwe, 00:37:06
3. Beetrice Themane, 00:37:26
4. Christiane Andriaanse, 00:37:53
5. Bulelwa Simae, 00:38:25
6. Yandiswa Shange, 00:39:36
7. Tyla le Roux, 00:39:54
8. Danette Smith, 00:40:17

 

Photo 1 Caption: Glenrose Xaba from Embalenle, Mpumalanga took no prisoners in Johannesburg crossing the finish line first at Mary Fitzgerald Square (Newtown) in a deserving time of 35 minutes 05 seconds. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg

Photo 2 Caption: Annie Bothma at the Mouille Point in Cape Town, claimed gold at the Totalsports Women’s Race in a time of 00:34:52 on Women’s Day, 9 August, 2019. Photo: Mark Sampson

Photo 3 Caption: 2019  Totalsports Women’s Race Durban champ Jenet Mbhele (right) crossed the finish line first at the Kings Park Athletics Track in a time of 34 minutes 51 seconds, with Jenna Challenor (left) taking silver right on her heels. Photo: Rogan Ward

 

With editing by gsport

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Jacky McClean for Newsport Media

Jacky McClean for Newsport Media

Jacky McClean NEWSPORT MEDIA: PR and Communications Tel: +27 21 886 9204 Mobile: +27 83 291 9283 [email protected] Twitter: @newsportmediatv Facebook: Newsport Media

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