Elite Athletes excited to join the 2023 Totalsports Women’s Race celebration!

A strong contingent of female elite athletes will commemorate National Women’s Day on Wednesday 09 August 2023 by participating in South Africa’s largest Women’s Day celebration, the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban in support of PinkDrive.

Somerset West based athlete Kyla Jacobs will make her Totalsports Women’s Race debut in Cape Town.

“I’m thrilled to join the Totalsports Women’s Race for the first time,” admits Jacobs. “I’m inspired by the ‘Sea of Pink’ that will take over the Mother City and I’m proud to be part of an event that celebrates our strength and progress on Women’s Day! The Cape Town race is known to have a challenging course and I look forward to pushing my limits. My goal is to have fun, while drawing inspiration from all the strong ladies around me. I would be thrilled to win the race.”

Competition will be rife in Johannesburg with sisters Lebo and Lebogang Phalula (Soweto) and Irvette Van Zyl (Pretoria East) eagerly lining up to participate in the City of Gold.

“I’ve been running the Totalsports Women’s Race for ages,” says Lebogang Phalula. “The event is special because we also get to know other athletes. I really enjoy that. My goal is to be in the top five this year. I have big dreams before I hang up my ‘competitive’ running shoes. I’d like to qualify for the Olympic Games for the last time and the World Champs.”

“I run to stay healthy,” admits Lebo Phalula. “I love having my sister next to me when I run. She encourages me and helps me a lot. I really enjoy the Totalsports Women’s Race. Besides the fact that the event takes place on Women’s Day and is hosted in celebration of women, I love running with women only. My goal is to stay healthy and enjoy my race to the fullest. Obtaining a spot on the podium will be a highlight.”

“I love that we as women can celebrate and be active together on National Women’s Day,” says Van Zyl. “It’s our day to shine and celebrate. I had such a great time at the 2022 event. The vibe and atmosphere were so special. I just didn’t want to miss out and had to enter again this year. Last year I finished second, so this year I want to better my position or time or both. I love the start of this race and am really looking forward to it. The atmosphere is amazing, there’s dancing and all the ladies are in great spirit.”

In Durban reigning Champion Tayla Kavanagh (Hillcrest, Kwa-Zulu Natal) and Cacisile Sosibo (Soweto) have confirmed that they will also be lining up for the Women’s Day celebration.

“Hosting the Totalsports Women’s Race on National Women’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate women,” says Kavanagh. “I love racing in my home city and the Totalsports Women’s Race is always a lovely start to my Women’s Day celebrations. I really enjoy sharing the road with fellow runners who love the sport just as much as I do. My goal is to enjoy the race, while testing my fitness. I can’t wait to paint the streets of Durban pink with thousands of women on a very special day for a very special cause.”

“Each year the Totalsports Women’s Race treats runners and walkers of all ages in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban to a fantastic 10km and 5km event that is fun filled and safe,” says Cacisile Sosibo (Soweto). “I am really looking forward to event day, not only to race, but to also experience the vibe with thousands of women.  My goal is to do my best. A podium finish would be amazing. My message to other runners is to remember to support each other, a word of encouragement goes a long way.”

EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Totalsports Women’s Race

EACH ENTRY INCLUDES: Each entrant will receive a fitted Event T-shirt and finisher’s medal, while getting to enjoy an entertaining route with vibrant refreshment points and a Live Performance at the finish. 

CHARITY SUPPORT: The Totalsports Women’s Race proudly supports PinkDrive. A Non-Profit Company (NPC), PinkDrive is committed to improving breast cancer awareness, education, providing and offering free services to the medically uninsured across South Africa. PinkDrive will be present at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban offering FREE clinical breast examinations and educating on the importance of self- breast examinations.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: The renowned South African electronic music band, GoodLuck is set to ignite the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town, while South African multi-platinum selling artist, Boohle will mesmerise runners and walkers in Johannesburg and well known South African recording artist, singer and songwriter, Holly Rey will serenade participants in Durban. 

PRIZE PURSE: The Totalsports Women’s Race will boast an impressive, combined prize purse of R202 500,00 in 2023. That equates to a R67 500,00 prize purse per city (Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban). Prize money has been allocated to the Top Ten finishers in the Open Category, with the Open Winner taking home R12 000,00, the second-place finisher R10 000,00 and the third-place finisher R8 000,00. Prize money has also been allocated to the top 3 finishers in the Junior, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ categories.

To view the 2023 Prize Purse Breakdown visit: www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za