The streets of Johannesburg and Durban resembled a \u2018sea of pink\u2019 on Wednesday 09 August 2023 with runners and walkers coming out in their masses to participate in the iconic Totalsports Women\u2019s Race, South Africa\u2019s largest Women\u2019s Day celebration. Irvette Van Zyl was the athlete to beat in Johannesburg, while Cacisile Sosibo showed the ladies a clean pair of heels in Durban.
\nRunning in the colours of Hollywood Athletics Club, Irvette Van Zyl (Pretoria East) claimed her 6 th Totalsports Women\u2019s Race Johannesburg victory on the day (having won in 2017 and 2007 \u2013 2010), in a deserving time of 34 minutes 58 seconds. Rutendo Nyahora came in second, with Lebo Phalula finishing third.
\n\u201cI loved this race last year, so I had to come back and just try to be the best that I could be,\u201d says Van Zyl. \u201cComing into the race I wanted to be tactical, take it easy on the downhills, so that I could be ok on the uphills. We stayed together until about the 5km mark, and then the break happened. I knew that the second half of the route was quite difficult and that if I could just maintain until then I could push through until the end. I am chuffed with today\u2019s race. I had a rough start to the year due to injury, so being here today, being healthy and fit and able to enjoy running again is awesome. I\u2019m happy to come away with the win. I really enjoyed the event. The atmosphere was great as always. It\u2019s awesome to be here on Women\u2019s Day, celebrating women together.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Durban Cacisile Sosibo (Soweto) was leaving nothing to chance. She entered the Totalsports Women\u2019s Race Durban because of the fast, flat course and took full advantage of it claiming her first Totalsports Women\u2019s Race victory in an impressive time of 33 minutes 31 seconds. Reigning Totalsports Women\u2019s Race Durban Champion Tayla Kavanagh had to settle for second place on the day, with Jenet Mbhele rounding off the podium.
\n\u201cI run for the Boxer Athletics Club. With the event taking place in more than one province, we had to spread our runners out between the events,\u201d says Sosibo. \u201cI specifically entered the Totalsports Women\u2019s Race Durban because the course is flat, and the turns aren\u2019t complicated. I enjoy this event because it\u2019s for women and there aren\u2019t any men that you need to compete against. So, I could just run my best and prove that women can also run. I am so happy to win today. I feel powerful! I\u2019m a winner!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a fantastic time celebrating National Women's Day with a sea of enthusiastic runners and walkers, all dressed in pink, symbolising unity across two vibrant cities,\u201d says Jonathan Stein, Head of Totalsports. \u201cEach city boasted an electrifying energy and incredible vibe. A heartfelt congratulations goes out to Irvette Van Zyl and Cacisile Sosibo for their outstanding achievements, claiming gold in the Totalsports Women's Race 10km in Johannesburg, and Durban, respectively. Watching your incredible performances was truly awe-inspiring." Stein adds: "We would like to thank each and every participant and spectator who joined us today; your unwavering support makes this event possible. A special shout out goes to our incredible event charity, PinkDrive, your dedication to making a difference and assisting those in need is truly remarkable. We are proud to know that together, we are able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of many."<\/p>\n
EVENT INFORMATION: 2023 Totalsports Women\u2019s Race
\nDate: Wednesday, 09 August 2023 \/ National Women\u2019s Day
\nEvent: Cape Town: cancelled due to the Taxi Strikes in the Western<\/p>\n
Johannesburg:
\nStart & Finish: Marks Park, Emmerentia<\/p>\n
Durban:
\nStart: Masabalala Yengwa Ave
\nFinish: Kings Park Athletics Track<\/p>\n
Start Time: 08:00 \/ 10km
\n08:10 \/ 5km<\/p>\n
Elite ladies in action during the Totalsports Women’s Race in Joburg. PHOTO CREDIT: Tobias Ginsberg<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"