CAPE TOWN – Daisilah Jerono came to Cape Town to measure her fitness. She left with a victory.
The Kenyan road-running star produced a 31:29 winning performance at the Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town on Sunday, turning her South African debut into a golden National Women’s Day celebration.
Jerono, ranked seventh in the world for the half marathon in 2026, arrived with serious credentials. Her 1:05:21 in Berlin makes her the second-fastest Kenyan over the distance this year.
Cape Town offered a different examination.
Wind swept across the course and the rolling undulations demanded patience, rhythm and resilience. Jerono answered every challenge, keeping her stride smooth when the road tried to put sand in her running shoes.
Her plan was never about victory.
“The race was tough. It was windy, with a few ups and downs, but I am happy to have run today,” said Jerono.
“This is my first time in South Africa. I didn’t come with the idea of winning; I came to see where I am in my training.”
The result provided a useful training marker and a confidence boost.
It also came with an unexpected bonus: the Cape Town crowd.
“The runners were so cheerful, and I really liked how they cheered for us. I am so happy to win today. I was not expecting it; it’s by God’s grace. God willing, maybe I’ll come back next year.”
Faith Cherono finished second, with Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala taking third.
Behind the elite race, Cape Town delivered a bigger spectacle.
About 10 000 women took to the streets, transforming National Women’s Day into a sea of colour, movement and collective energy while supporting PinkDrive.
For Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer, the elite race and mass participation combined to make the event special.
“Congratulations to Daisilah Jerono on a truly outstanding performance. The standard of elite racing at this year’s Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town was exceptional, with an exciting display of talent and determination from start to finish,” said Meyer.
He also looked ahead to Johannesburg on 16 August, the next stop in the Women’s Race series after successful events in Durban and Cape Town.
Totalsports head of marketing Nikki Crous said the Cape Town event demonstrated what happens when sport becomes bigger than the stopwatch.
“The Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town once again showcased the incredible power of women coming together to celebrate fitness, friendship and purpose,” said Crous.
For Jerono, though, the stopwatch told the sweetest story.
She came to test the engine.
Cape Town gave her proof that it is firing on all cylinders.
RESULTS – TOP 10 / Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town 2026
Date: Sunday 09 August 2026
Start Time: 08:00
Start Venue: Darling Street, Cape Town
Finish Venue: Grand Parade, Cape Town
Top 10 Elite Field
1 Daisilah Jerono (Kenya) 31:29, 2 Faith Cherono (Kenya) 31:32, 3 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 33:23, 4 Olga Firsova (Australia) 36:20, 5 Marie-Tinka Olivier (South Africa) 37:25, 6 Nicole Van Wyk (South Africa) 37:43, 7 Deanne Laubscher (South Africa) 38:07, 8 Lauren Jonathan (South Africa) 38:18, 9 Yandiswa Shange (South Africa) 38:39, 10 Mia Steytler (South Africa) 38:49
