Njoki runs fastest 10km time on African soil as Khatala sets Lesotho national record at Totalsports Women's race Durban

After declaring her intention to run a new personal best, Christine Njoki delivered an historic performance to defend her title and win the Totalsports Women's Race Durban in a new SA All-Comers Record this morning (3 August). The Kenyan eclipsed her previous mark of 30:37, also run in Durban to win the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in the fastest 10km clocking ever achieved by any woman in a race run on the African continent.

"The race wasn't easy. I focused on my PB first. I feel so happy to defend my title today. I wanted to chase the record, but I missed it. But to run this time shows that we can do it here in Africa. It doesn't have to be in Europe because we have good races in Africa," she said referring to the Women's Only 10km World Record of 29:27 for which headline sponsors Totalsports had set aside an incentive of R1 million.

Njoki delivers the first ever sub 30:30 10km run by a woman on African soil. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

"I enjoyed running with my fellow women. To see your physical toughness, it's good to run with only women. Next week I’ll run the Totalsports Women's Race in Cape Town. If the weather is the same as today, I know I will run another PB there," she added.

Kenyans swept the podium as Clare Ndiwa who won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K three weeks ago came in second (31:37), while Jane Chacha who was victorious at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K in April took third in 31:50. In fourth position was Lesotho's 10km national record holder, Neheng Khatala, who eclipsed her previous mark of 32:01 to set a new national record of 31:53 for the Mountain Kingdom.

"The race was perfect, the weather was absolutely perfect," said a very happy Khatala. "I could see on my watch that I was running at a comfortable pace. I didn't know that I was on record pace (referring to the Lesotho record). I was just pushing with Tayla (Kavanagh). We were communicating. From halfway we just pushed a little more. Today it was not about the position, it was about us pushing through time. We were just very focused. I am so excited. I've been trying to run sub 32 for so many years. I am so grateful for Mr Michael Meyer (Managing Director of Stillwater Sports) for trusting me without a doubt. I've been running these races for so long, and finally I've done it today."

Running tandem Khatala and Kavanagh recorded national records and personal bests respectively. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

Khatala's fellow Hollywood Athletics Club top runner and first South African home on the day, Tayla Kavanagh also set a new PB of 31:53 for fifth place as she became only the fifth SA woman to break the 32 minute barrier after Elana Meyer, Colleen de Reuck, Dominique Scott and Glenrose Xaba.

Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, praised all entrants for their fantastic performances and thanked them for being part of the event and showing such incredible support: "Well done to Christine Njoki on successfully defending her title and setting a new Allcomers Record at the Totalsports Women’s Race Durban - an inspiring performance and a powerful way to launch the 2025 series! A big shoutout to Neheng Khatala for dipping under the 32-minute mark and setting the new Lesotho Record. We are also incredibly proud to have welcomed 8000 runners and walkers to the start line in a race that not only celebrates women, but also proudly supports the important work of PinkDrive."