Joburg runs pink for Women’s Day

NEWTOWN – The Totalsports Women's Race sees 17 500 runners paint the town pink.

August 11, 2017

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

The Hlase family: Innocentia, Fetsi, Makgotso, Ivy, Precious, and Tumi in front have a blast in Newtown. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

Runners painted Joburg pink for the 16th time at the Totalsports Women’s Race, which was filled with as much excitement as ever before.

A whopping 17 500 runners came through on Women’s Day, 9 August, to run in the 5km and 10km events starting at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, and winding through the city like a long pink worm, before finishing back at the square.

DJ Doowap and creative director, Trash Godd, run the 5km race. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

The race was in aid of PinkDrive, the non-profit organisation which aims to improve breast cancer awareness and provide free services to the medically uninsured.

“We are doing this for our grandma, Rama, who died of breast cancer. We are running for her,” said Khushbu Chhotubhai, running with her sister, Henna.

Despite the importance of the cause, the atmosphere was high-spirited as music pumped loudly and drivers hooted in support of the runners as they passed.

Belinda Huyzers, Terry Holtzkampf, Michelle du Toit and Jane Damand run for life. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

Cleo Madini, Gabi Mutshutshu and Pearl Ntebe come through for a fun day out. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

“If I could say anything to women it would be ‘don’t look outside for validation. Women must affirm themselves. They are beautiful,’ ” said Sanda Gcadinja, who ran with friends.

“Women should be strong, believe in themselves and be confident,” said Fetsi Hlase, running with her family.

The Chhotubhai sisters, Khushbu and Henna run in memory of their grandmother. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

Shanell Dalman, Chrisie Solomons and Suzette van der Haar do their part for PinkDrive. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

After winning the Spar Women’s Race Pretoria on 5 August, Irvette van Zyl won the Totalsports 5km event in 00:34:09.

“I didn’t really have a plan today, I just wanted to run fast,” she said afterwards. “Although I led from the start, I knew that the other runners weren’t far behind so I couldn’t slack down. The route wasn’t fast and flat as expected, but the vibe was great and the event was well organised.”