The Totalsports Women’s Race has much to celebrate in 2024. Each of the three events drew record-breaking numbers, with a combined total of 30 000 runners (7500 in Durban, 12 500 in Cape Town, and 10 000 in Joburg) participating during Women’s Month. In addition to this remarkable turnout, the event proudly raised an impressive R158 584.00 for PinkDrive, its esteemed charity partner.
A mass participation, women’s only road race that takes place across three major cities (Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg) in August, the Totalsports Women’s Race caters to both social runners and elite athletes. It is a celebration of women’s strength and empowerment, providing a platform for women from all backgrounds to come together and participate in a high-energy, caring environment in support of PinkDrive, a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is committed to improving breast cancer awareness and education as well as providing free screening services to the medically uninsured across South Africa.
“PinkDrive plays a fantastic and invaluable role as the charity partner of the Totalsports Women’s Race,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “It’s truly a pleasure to support an organization that means so much to the community and makes such a significant difference in people’s lives. We are proud to handover R158 584.00 to PinkDrive, knowing that these funds will be put to great use. Working with a charity of this calibre has been an honour, and we look forward to continuing this partnership that aligns so well with the values of the Totalsports Women’s Race.”
“We are in awe of the fantastic work that PinkDrive does especially as the Charity Partner of the Totalsports Women’s race and the results speak for themselves,” says Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports. “Totalsports together with the Totalsports Women’s Race are incredibly proud to support PinkDrive in spreading the message that early detection can prolong a life. This is more than just a race, it’s a platform to raise awareness and make a real impact in our communities.”
PinkDrive made a meaningful impact at each of the three events in 2024 by offering free clinical breast examinations in every city, as well as providing participants the chance to consult with a PinkDrive nurse for general medical advice. Across all three Totalsports Women’s Race events, a total of 722 breast exams were conducted in the month of August, leading to 22 important referrals.
“I was thrilled to see the Durban event sell out, with even the men dressing up and joining the spirit of the day,” says Janice Benecke, Marketing & Events Coordinator at PinkDrive/Durban. “The turnout at our tent on race day was fantastic. We absolutely love the support that this race brings. Totalsports does an amazing job of rallying people to support both the event and our cause. We conducted 300 breast examinations and made 10 referrals—people who might not have discovered a lump without visiting our stand. We’re truly pleased because now they can seek the necessary care, and we’ll continue to monitor them. A huge thank you to the sponsors and Totalsports for choosing PinkDrive as the charity partner, to the runners for supporting this wonderfully PINK race, and to the organisers for hosting such a well-run, well-organised, and entertaining event.”
Benecke confirmed that the funds raised will go towards free clinic days, supporting the purchase of a new mammogram truck, and assisting the medically uninsured with other essential medical services.
The Totalsports Women’s Race Cape Town facilitated 178 breast examinations, leading to 4 referrals for further evaluation.
“For me, the unity and compassion displayed by women at this event was a true highlight,” says Tenielle Karen, Marketing & Events Coordinator at PinkDrive/Western Cape. “The overwhelming support from so many runners in Cape Town reflects the true beauty of sisterhood—women from all walks of life coming together to uplift and encourage one another, all while taking charge of their health. In addition to the generous donation that we received from the event and its participants, our pop-up shop was also a great success, with most items selling out. These funds will go a long way in helping us mobilize our teams to provide much-needed cancer screening services. To the sponsors, organisers, and all the runners, thank you for putting love into action and being part of someone else’s journey.”
In Joburg the Totalsports Women’s Race facilitated 244 breast examinations, resulting in 8 referrals.
Nelius du Preez, Operations Manager at PinkDrive/Johannesburg, expressed deep gratitude for the support and platform provided by events like the Totalsports Women’s Race.
“These events allow us to raise awareness and educate a large, engaged audience about breast cancer,” says du Preez. “The highlight for us was the 244 women who took advantage of the free breast examinations on the day, as well as the many others who were educated about the importance of early detection. Celebrating Women’s Month in Johannesburg with such strong support from the runners brings us immense joy, knowing that the people of this city stand behind PinkDrive and believe in our mission. Their backing helps keep our mobile mammography units on the road, delivering essential services to the medically uninsured.”
“Thanks to the fundraising opportunities provided by the Totalsports Women’s Race, we can continue our work benefitting communities across South Africa,” adds du Preez. “These funds are vital in helping us achieve our core purpose: preventing as many people as possible from falling victim to breast, cervical, prostate, and testicular cancer. Our mission is to promote awareness and encourage early detection of gender-related cancers across South Africa, with the message that ‘Early detection will help to prolong life!'”
Du Preez adds in closing: “At PinkDrive, we were absolutely blown away by the incredible support we received in 2024.
This year marked the strongest backing we’ve seen in eight years at the Shop4Cancer pop up shops on event day, and we couldn’t be more grateful. A heartfelt thank you to the Totalsports Women’s Race, its sponsors, the dedicated organising team, and every single runner across all three cities for making this possible.”
