Something historic is stirring on the shores of Durban. On Sunday, 3 August 2025, South Africa won’t just host another road race — it could become the setting of a world record and the most lucrative moment in women’s road running on African soil.
For the first time ever, the Totalsports Women’s Race will offer a R1 million incentive — a life-altering prize for the first woman to break the Women’s Only 10km World Record. It’s a bold, ground-breaking move that has electrified the global athletics community, signaling that the time for women’s sport to take centre stage is not tomorrow — it’s now.
The current record, an astonishing 29:27, was just set on 26 April 2025 by Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich at the ADIDAS Road to Records event in Germany. That blistering run broke fellow Kenyan Agnes Tirop’s 2021 mark of 30:01. But now, the question is: can it be bettered again — and on African soil?
Ngetich herself sees the million-rand incentive as more than just a cash prize. “I am happy for it because it creates life-changing opportunities for women in Africa,” she said. “It also attracts more talent to these events and increases visibility for women in sport.”
The historic prize has been made possible through the collaboration of Totalsports, title sponsor of the event, and Stillwater Sports, the race organiser. Together, they’ve rewritten the playbook on what it means to support and empower women athletes.
“We are immensely proud to be part of history in the making,” says Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports. “The Totalsports Women’s Race holds a very special place in our hearts — it’s a celebration of strength, unity, and the incredible power of women in sport. This incentive is about creating opportunities, pushing boundaries, and showing what’s possible when we believe in the potential of women.”
Shanice Swartz – Race Director at Totalsports Women’s Race, Mandla Mngomezulu – Vice President KZN Athletics and Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports. PHOTO: David Sullivan
Durban’s coastal race route, flat and famously fast, has been carefully chosen for its potential to produce personal bests — and maybe a world record. The 10km course, beginning and ending at Suncoast Casino along Snell Parade, is not only scenic but designed for speed, offering elite runners the perfect conditions to chase greatness.
Stillwater Sports Managing Director Michael Meyer sees this as a defining moment: “For over two decades, the Totalsports Women’s Race has championed women’s sport in South Africa. Now, in 2025, we’re taking it to new heights. The R1 million incentive represents a monumental step forward — not only for South African women’s athletics but for the entire continent.”
Support has come flooding in from across the South African athletics landscape.
Karabo Mabilo, Acting President of Central Gauteng Athletics, praised the initiative: “It’s an amazing step. For the first time, women are being recognised in such a powerful way. This will attract many more elite runners and inspire future generations.”
Steve Mkasi, President of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, called it a global benchmark: “The Totalsports Women’s Race is now the pinnacle of 10km running. There’s no better place in the world to set records. To the women out there — it’s your chance, go for it!”
KwaZulu-Natal Athletics Vice President Mandla Mngomezulu added: “This is a marvellous moment for our province. As hosts, we are proud and ready to offer world-class hospitality. The incentive lifts the bar and adds tremendous value to women’s sport.”
Even Olympians are weighing in. Elroy Gelant, three-time Olympian and multiple SA champion, noted: “This is a powerful recognition of women’s talent. A financial incentive like this inspires young girls to pursue running and helps elevate the profile of women’s athletics in South Africa.”
But the race is about more than just the elite field. The Totalsports Women’s Race, held annually in Durban, Cape Town (9 August), and Johannesburg (17 August), has long stood as a beacon of community, celebration, and support for causes like PinkDrive, the race’s charity partner promoting breast cancer awareness and services.
Will it be one million reasons to run? The clock starts ticking now.
Race Details:
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Durban | Sunday, 3 August 2025 | Start: 08:00 | Venue: Suncoast Casino
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Entry Fees: 10km – R150 (licensed), R200 (unlicensed); 5km – R115
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Entries close 28 July or once full
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For more details or to enter, visit: www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za
#TotalsportsWomensRace #LoveTheRun #PinkDrive
