Totalsports Women’s Race set to line our streets pink

When August comes, South Africans come together in celebration of the resilience and strength of the women who call this country home.

Since 2001 Totalsport Women’s Race[https://totalsportswomensrace.co.za/] has made sure to celebrate women from all walks of life through a road race that sees the streets of three cities painted pink for a day.

The race takes place in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. This year, the Joburg race will start and end at Marks Park Sports Club and among the collective of 20 000 expected runners, are twin elite runners, Lebo and Lebohang Phalula who are gearing up to run our city’s streets come August 9.

The pair have taken part in the race several times, and whether it was Durban’s ocean view or Joburg’s crisp morning breeze that spurred them on; one of them always managed to win the race.

For Lebo, participation in the race is a no-brainer as it not only gives her the opportunity to catch up with fellow athletes but the awesome chance to run with only women. “Road running also helps me stay healthy and have a long lifespan in athletics,” she said.

Before she hangs up her running shoes, Lebohang has aspirations of qualifying for the Olympic Games and the World Championships. At this year’s Totalsports Women’s Race, she hopes she come out in the top five.

The runners have faced their fair share of individual challenges through the years. At some point, Lebo faced an injury she battled with for a year and after she gave birth, the journey of coming back to sport was hard. It had her questioning if she should still run. For Lebohang, its been the aches and pains that come with the sport she loves to take part in. No matter the challenges however, their passion for road running has never waned. Each of them finds the added pleasure of running alongside their sister as something to cherish, “She pushes me more when I’m tired,” said Lebohang.

To fellow female athletes, Lebo encourages them to respect what it is they do and aim to achieve. While Lebohang says your triumph in life starts with a desire to succeed, “This will guide you in the right direction, so be always be ready.”

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