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Helalia Johannes Heads Spar Grand Prix Leaderboard
The 2019 SPAR Grand Prix winner , Namibian Helalia Johannes , laid down her marker in the opening race of the 2022 SPAR 10km Grand Prix series in Gqeberha on Saturday with a blistering win in a world class time to head the Grand Prix leaderboard with 30 points .
Running in the Nedbank colours , Johannes won in 31.53 minutes , becoming the first woman over 40 to run 10kms in under 32 minutes . She earned 20 points for her win , and 10 bonus points for running under the target time of 33.15 minutes .
But Johannes will have some fierce competition for the ultimate prize of R190 000 to be awarded at the end of the six-race series . Eight runners earned 10 bonus points , and another three earned five bonus points for finishing under 34 minutes .
Last year ’ s SPAR Grand Prix winner , Ethiopian Tadu Nare , is in second spot on the leaderboard , with 29 points , followed by fellow Ethiopian and Nedbank runner , Selam Gebre , a junior , who has 28 points . The first South African home , Tayla Kavanagh ( Murray & Roberts ) has 27 points .
The awarding of bonus points could have an impact on the outcome of the SPAR Grand Prix series . Johannes indicated that she would probably miss the Tshwane race in August because she will be competing in the women ’ s marathon at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham . This could give Nare and others the opportunity to overtake her .
SPAR Grand Prix coordinator Ian Laxton said he was surprised but delighted that so many runners had qualified for bonus points . “ We expected two or three to earn bonus points ,” he said , adding “ For 11 runners to earn them is amazing . I think it points to a very exciting SPAR Grand Prix Series this year .”
Johannes is also top of the leaderboard in the 40 – 49-years category , with 10 points . The first seven home in this category all earned bonus points for finishing in under 38 minutes .
Jenna Challenor ( Murray & Roberts ) is in second position , followed by Makhosi Mhlongo ( Hollywood Bets ).
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Five runners in the 50-59 years category earned bonus points for finishing under 42 minutes . Janene Carey ( Murray & Roberts ) heads this group , followed by teammate Marili Munnik and Shani Silver ( Boxer ). In the over 70 category , only Judy Bird ( Murray & Roberts ) earned bonus points for finishing under 46 minutes . Annatjie Botes ( Nedbank ) and Grace de Oliveira ( Murray & Roberts ) are second and third . Murray & Roberts lead the club competition with 150 points from 15 scorers , followed by Nedbank with 137 from nine and Boxer with 63 from five .
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