British triathlete Emma Pallant-Browne will celebrate Women’s Month with running shoes on her feet, purpose in her heart and motherhood as the engine driving her long-awaited Totalsports Women’s Race debut.
Twelve months after giving birth to her son, the former international track and cross-country runner will line up in the sold-out Durban race on Sunday, before returning for the Johannesburg edition two weeks later. Her journey is a celebration of women who refuse to let life’s chapters close the book on ambition.
For Pallant-Browne, the road back has been paved with patience, resilience and countless small victories that rarely appear on a results sheet.
“Coming back after having my son, I’m starting to get injury-free and run a bit faster, so I was looking to race a fast 10km at sea level, and the Totalsports Women’s Race came highly recommended to me,” she said.
“My goal is to take part in two Totalsports Women’s Race events this year, so I will also be lining up in Joburg on 16 August. Women in sport is my absolute passion, especially now as a mother.
“I used to see a lot of women at races with their kids supporting ‘Daddy’, and it’s so great to now see dads on the sidelines with the kids supporting ‘Mummy’ and giving her the opportunity to have her time to shine. I think there are still barriers in women’s sport that see many women dropping out during their teenage years or when life gets busy and they start a family, but events like this really elevate women’s running and give women their time to shine.”
Motherhood has reshaped both athlete and person. Every training session has become a balancing act worthy of an Olympic discipline, while every kilometre carries a deeper meaning.
“There are a million reasons now not to get my session in, and I think it makes you want it a bit more,” she said.
“Knowing that we are bringing my son into a life where we show him that if you want to be good at something, you have to work hard for it, is what I keep thinking when times get tough. What example am I setting for him? My body has definitely had more injuries, but it’s made me more patient, better at problem-solving and time management, and more resilient when facing setbacks.”
Her advice to mothers is simple and heartfelt.
“My advice to mothers who may be nervous about returning to exercise after pregnancy would be to be patient and start steadily. Take baby steps, start with a jog or walk, build up gradually and enjoy the process. It’s so rewarding to see the progress you make and to track your improvements each week, so keep reminding yourself how far you’ve come. Most importantly, don’t neglect strength training.”
Durban offers Pallant-Browne her first serious postpartum test over 10km, with an ambitious target already in her sights.
“Running faster than 34 minutes would be a good start for me. It will be my first fast 10km postpartum, so I want to see what my body can do at the moment and then build from there. It would mean so much to me to start winning races again, but most of all I want to know that I gave it my all in Durban and Joburg, and pushed as hard as I could.”
Totalsports Head of Marketing Nikki Crous believes Pallant-Browne embodies the spirit of the event.
“Emma’s return to competition after becoming a mother is both inspiring and a powerful reminder that women can continue to pursue their goals at every stage of life,” said Crous.
“Her passion for empowering women through sport perfectly reflects what the Totalsports Women’s Race stands for. We look forward to seeing her take on both the Durban and Joburg events and wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.”
With all three races sold out, thousands of women will fill South Africa’s streets during August. Some will chase podiums, others personal bests. Many will simply celebrate movement. Pallant-Browne’s story will run alongside them all, a reminder that motherhood is not the finish line. Sometimes, it is the starter’s pistol.
For more information on PinkDrive visit www.pinkdrive.org For further information on the Totalsports Women’s Race visit www.totalsportswomensrace.co.za
