'It creates life-changing opportunities for women in Africa' - World Record holder Ngetich backs TotalSports Women's Race R1 million world record incentive

Agnes Jebet Ngetich has applauded organisers of the 2025 Totalsports Women’s Race for backing women’s running. Yesterday (30 April, 2025), Stillwater Sports who organise the three race women’s only 10km road running series which takes place in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg announced a whopping incentive of R1 000 000 for any athlete that can break the Women's Only 10km record during the Durban event on 3 August.

Ngetich who set a new Women’s Only 10km record of 29:27 at the Adizero Road to Records event on Saturday 26 April has welcomed the massive prize purse saying it can only be good for women’s road running in Africa and the world. 

Shanice Swartz / Race Director at Totalsports Women’s Race, Mandla Mngomezulu / Vice President KZN Athletics and Nikki Crous / Head of Marketing at Totalsports at the announcement of the R1 million world record incentive. Photo Credit: David Sullivan.

"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," said the 24-year-old Kenyan who also the holder of the mixed race world record of 28:46 set in January 2024.

Having hosted races which saw Joshua Cheptegei set the SA All-Comers Record of 27:16 as well as the SA 10km Women's Record of 31:12 run by Glenrose Xaba during last year's Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, Durban has become South Africa’s home of 10km records. Known for being fast and flat, the Totalsports Women’s Race Durban route winds through some of Durban’s most picturesque spots, making it the ideal stage for personal bests — and even world records. KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) President Steve Mkasi believes that organisers of the Totalsports Women’s Race could not have chosen a better venue for any women to try and run faster than ever before in a women’s only race.

Kenya's Christine Njoki winning the 2024 Totalsports Women's Race in Durban in 31:00. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

"There's no better place on the African continent or in the world to set records. Totalsports is challenging women from all over the globe to go for the 10km world record in Durban. So, we say to Totalsports big up. You and your partners, thank you. To the women out there, it’s your chance, go for it."

"Announcing a R1 000 000 incentive for the first female athlete to break the Women’s Only 10km World Record in Durban is an honour for us, and 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," said Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports.