There’s a Million Rand Buzz in the distance-running air in South Africa and it’s all about running a world record on African soil.
Many world records in distance running have been set by athletes from African countries. Few, if any, have been achieved on the African continent. Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, is determined to change that metric, ideally sooner rather than later.
It’s no secret that Meyer is passionate in supporting Africa’s top athletes, notably those running sub-marathon distances, and providing a canvas for them to excel at the highest level on African soil and he would like nothing better than to deliver a world record in one of Stillwater’s events in South Africa.
And the launch of the Totalsports Women’s Race in Cape Town this week provided the ideal stage for Meyer to further promote that ideal.
Title sponsor Totalsports, in partnership with event organiser Stillwater Sports, has announced a R1 000 000 incentive for the first female athlete to break the Women’s Only 10km World Record at the Totalsports Women’s Race, taking place in Durban on Sunday, 03 August 2025.
While significant money has been offered, and won, for longer distance events in South Africa in the past – Gerda Steyn won more than R2 million at last year’s Comrades Marathon – the same has not been true for shorter races in one-off events.
Until now.
“For over two decades, the Totalsports Women’s Race has proudly led the way in championing women’s sport in South Africa — celebrating strength, unity, and the unstoppable spirit of women,” said Meyer at the launch.
“In 2025, we’re excited to take the event to unprecedented heights with the announcement of the R1 000 000 World Record Incentive bonus. This bold and historic initiative represents a monumental step forward for women’s sport, not only in South Africa but across the African continent.
“Importantly, this would not be possible without the incredible drive and commitment of Totalsports, whose passion for empowering women in sport continues to break new ground. We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s top athletes as they chase greatness. Get ready to witness history in the making – a women’s road running world record on African soil for the very first time!”
Just last Saturday (26 April), Kenyan athlete Agnes Jebet Ngetich set a new Women’s-Only 10km World Record of 29:27 at the ADIDAS Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Ngetich broke the previous record of 30:01, set by her compatriot Agnes Tirop in Germany on 12 September 2021.
The 24-year-old Ngetich also holds the 10km record for mixed gender races, having stopped the clocks at a staggering 28:46 in Valencia, Spain, in January 2024.
And while there may be scepticism about the seriousness of the Totalsports incentive intent, every effort is being made to bring to Durban athletes capable of breaking the record.
Ngetich herself shared her thoughts on the Totalsports Women’s Race’s World Record Incentive announcement: “I am happy for it because it creates life-changing opportunities for women in Africa. It also attracts more talent to these events and increases visibility for women in sport.”
Whether or not Ngetich herself will line up in Durban is not known, but there are a number of other athletes not many seconds slower than Ngetich who might well take the bait – athletes of the calibre of Emmaculate Achol of Kenya (28:57 best) and Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw (best of 29:14) and all eyes will be watching the Totalsports Women’s Race space for further news in the weeks and months to come.
“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,” said Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsposrts.
“We are immensely proud to be part of an event that continues to uplift and inspire women across the country. Announcing the R1 000 000 incentive is a bold statement of our commitment to women’s athletics. It’s about creating opportunities, pushing boundaries, and being part of history in the making.”
The Totalsports Women’s Race Durban route is a scenic showcase of coastal charm and speed. Known for being fast and flat, the course winds through some of Durban’s most picturesque spots, making it the ideal stage for personal bests — and even world records. With its combination of beauty and pace, this route promises an unforgettable running experience for elite and social runners alike.
Three Totalsports Women’s Races will take place in South Africa over successive weeks, each different in character. While Durban’s series opener offers ‘flat and fast’, Cape Town’s race (Saturday 9 August) offers runners a heritage run through the streets of District Six while the Johannesburg race (Sunday 17 August) provides an inner-city vibe at altitude.
The Totalsports Women’s Race proudly supports PinkDrive, a non-profit company (NPC) dedicated to increasing breast cancer awareness, providing education, and offering free services to medically uninsured individuals across South Africa.
