PORT ELIZABETH — Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora recorded her second successive victory in the Spar Women’s Challenge 10km series in Port Elizabeth on Saturday morning.
Nyahora crossed the finish line unchallenged in 33 minutes, 09 seconds (33:09) and walked away with the prize money for the race, but her result will not count for the overall Grand Prix series because of her nationality.
“I’m so happy today with my performance,” Nyahora said after the race.
“My aim was to go for 32 minutes, but the wind was a challenge and it just kept me back slightly.
“But overall I’m still happy with my result and hope to win again in the Durban leg of the race.”
Lebo Phalula, who won the PE leg two years ago, finished 30 seconds adrift, while Mapaseka Makhanya was third in 34:06.
After three kilometres, Nyahora, Phalula and Makhanya broke away and led the record field of just over 13 000 runners in cold and windy conditions.
The wind proved too much for Makhanya, a former track specialist, who fell behind shortly before the halfway point.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Nyahora took the lead with four kilometres left and easily maintained her advantage through to the finish line.
“The course was not that tough for me,” said Nyahora.
“When I got to five kilometres, I realised that I still had a lot of power, and then I decided to kick from there.
“I know Lebo runs 800m races, and if I stayed with her until nine kilometres, she was going to beat me at the finish, so I decided to run away from her.”
Nyahora, who won the first leg of the series in Cape Town in March, was not disappointed about missing out on the grand prize, with the overall winner receiving a car, and would continue to participate in the series, with three legs remaining. “I’m just taking the rule as it is and I’m just running to win the race.
“I don’t have a problem with not winning the car at the end of the series.
“Now, I’m just looking forward to running a good race in Durban and grabbing another win there.”
The third race in the series is scheduled to take place in Durban on June 23. RESULTS OPEN: 1 Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank AGN) 33.09 2 Diana-Lebo Phalula (Maxed Elite CGA) 33.093 3 Mapaseka Makhanya (Transnet ENG) 34.06 4 Cornelia Joubert (Nedbank CGA) 34.26 5 Christine Kalmer (Nedbank CGA) 34.29 6 Thozama April (Transnet ENG) 34.53 7 Irvette van Blerk (Nedbank CGA) 35.06 8 Myrette Filmalter (Nedbank AGN) 35.1 9 Jenna Challenor (Boxer) 35.21 10 Nolene Conrad (Nedbank CGA) 35.3 — Supersport
