Kenya’s Jane Chacha hopes to add Totalsports Women’s Race titles to Gqeberha 10K crown

Buoyed by a phenomenal debut victory at the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10K earlier this year in an impressive time of 31:45, Kenya’s Jane Ghati Chacha has now set her sights on the Totalsports Women’s Races in Durban and Cape Town.

The Durban leg of the women-only race takes place on Sunday, while the Cape Town leg takes place next Saturday.

“I entered the Durban and Cape Town Totalsports Women’s Races because they are well-organised events that attract strong athletes to the start line,” Chacha said. “I want to improve my PB (personal best) in both cities while gaining experience.”

Chacha made a sensational 10km debut against a star-studded field in Gqeberha. She was closely followed by Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre, who finished in 31:50. South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba put in a strong performance to claim third place overall and top local honours with a time of 31:56.

Over the next two weekends, she can prove that the victory was no flash in the pan.

The Totalsports Women’s Race Durban, known for being being fast and flat, is shaping up to be another humdinger if conditions and the route allow.

The weather in Durban has been difficult to predict of late, with windy, cold mornings the norm. Runners also criticised the recent Absa Run Your City Durban10K route for introducing too many twists, turns and climbs.

Fellow Kenyan Christine Njoki, who won last year's Totalsports Women’s Race races in Durban and Cape Town, has also confirmed that she will be back to defend her titles.

Lesotho’s national 10km record holder Neheng Khatala, who finished third in the Durban race last year, has also confirmed that she will toe the line in all three races in the series that concludes with the Joburg leg on Sunday, August 17.

Home-town favourite Tayla Kavanagh will also be among the runners to watch along the scenic coastal route on Sunday. 

Chacha was asked what she thought about the fact that the Totalsports Women’s Race celebrates and honours women.

“Women are strong and independent in daily life, and sport gives us even more self-confidence,” she said. “My message to the thousands of female athletes taking part is to be the best version of yourself today, so you can make your younger self proud.”

There will be much more than pride at stake for the elite runners who will join thousands of other women at the start.

Title sponsor Totalsports, in partnership with event organiser Stillwater Sports, has announced an unprecedented R1m incentive for the first female athlete to break the women’s-only10km world record in Sunday’s race.

The record, of 29:27, was set by Kenyan Jebet Ngetich at the Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, on April 26. 

"It is a very motivating incentive. Any woman who competes in Durban will try their best to challenge the world record," Njoki said. "It is a special gesture to show that women are appreciated in the society through Totalsports Women's Race."

Asked if she would be aiming for the record, the defending champion said: "The main goal is to better my previous time. We’ll see If I feel good after halfway mark, then I should challenge the world record."