Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 158 May 2023 | Page 30

ADVERTORIAL

Ethiopians Dominate Thrilling SPAR

Opener

The 2023 SPAR Women ’ s Challenge kicked off in thrilling style as two Ethiopians snatched victory from SA favourite Glenrose Xaba in a wet but fast Cape Town Spar Women ’ s Challenge on Sunday 23 April .

Ethiopian Hiyane Lama ( Nedbank ) stormed to victory in her maiden 10km road race , winning the 30 th edition of the Cape Town SPAR Women ’ s 10km Challenge in Greenpoint in 33:42 on a wet and chilly morning . She pipped fellow Ethiopian Selam Gebre by two seconds in a dramatic sprint for the finish .

Former SPAR Grand Prix winner , Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) was third , in 34.05 . The South African led for the first eight kilometres , until the Ethiopian pair surged past her . Another former Grand Prix winner , Kesa Molotsane ( Murray & Roberts ) was fourth in 34:07 , followed closely by Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) in 34:09 .

A Brilliant Debut

Lama , who is normally a cross country runner and specializes in the 3000 metres event on the track , said she had found the weather challenging . “ I had planned to run sub-32:00 , but the weather had a big impact on my performance ,” she said , adding that Gebre , who ran all six SPAR races last year and finished second on the Grand Prix table , had been very supportive during the race , encouraging her and advising her when to kick on .

Gebre said she was not totally satisfied with her performance , but was happy to have come second . “ I want to keep challenging myself and improving ,” she said . Meanwhile , Xaba said her legs were very tired after running a fast 5000m at a middle-distance track meeting at the Greenpoint Stadium just under a week

Sunday 23 April – Green Point Common , Cape Town Saturday 27 May – Pollok Beach , Summerstrand , Gqeberha

Sunday 25 June – Kings Park Stadium , Durban

30 ISSUE 158 | www . modernathlete . co . za earlier . “ I was feeling very good for the first 8km , but when the Ethiopians came past , my legs just wouldn ’ t respond ,” she said .

Xaba said the incentives offered to South African runners in the SPAR Grand Prix series , where the first South African to cross the finish line receives an additional R10,000 and the second an additional R5000 would inspire local runners . Echoing her thoughts , Molotsane thanked the sponsors for the additional incentives for South African runners . “ I have long advocated for incentives for local runners – and now that they are in place , it ’ s time for South African runners to respond by closing the gap ,” she said .

A Living Legend

The starting pistol for the race was fired by South African running legend , Elana Meyer , who was the winner of the first Cape Town SPAR Women ’ s 10km Challenge in 1993 . She was the special guest of the sponsors , who this year celebrated 30 years of the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Women ’ s Challenge .

“ It was an awesome experience to see thousands of women from all over the Western Cape turn out for the race , despite the wet weather ,” said Meyer . “ SPAR introduced a new era in women ’ s sport with the first SPAR Women ’ s Challenge races all those years ago . It gave women an opportunity to get involved in running , and for many it changed their lives , so today was a celebration of women , and of women runners .”

For more info , visit www . sparwomensrace . co . za or www . spar . run

2023 SPAR Grand Prix Calendar

Saturday 15 July – Mbombela Stadium , Mbombela Saturday 5 August – SuperSport Park , Tshwane Sunday 1 October – Marks Park Sporting Club ,

Johannesburg

Hiyane Lama and Selam Gebre take the lead from Glenrose Xaba at the 8km mark of the SPAR Women ’ s Challenge Cape Town

And the Winners Are …

These are the top results of the 2023 Cape Town SPAR Grand Prix 10km .

Senior Category

1 Hiyane Lama ( Nedbank ) 33:42 2 Selam Gebre ( Nedbank ) 33:44 3 Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) 34:05 4 Kesa Molotsane ( Murray & Roberts ) 34:07 5 Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) 34:09 6 Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed Elite ) 34:35 7 Fortunate Chidzivo ( TymeBank Langa ) 35:07 8 Karabo More ( Temp ) 35:21 9 Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) 35:43 10 Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli ( Boxer ) 35:45

Junior Category

Rebecca Monk ( Atlantic Triathlon Club ) 40:48 2 Chloe Lennox ( TotalSports VOB 40:52 3 Leah Edwards ( Kearnsey Striders ) 41:40

40-49 Category

Christiane Adriaanse ( Nedbank ) 39:31 2 Elme Middlemost ( Nedbank ) 39:53 3 Rolandi Schutte ( Nedbank ) 40:39

50-59 Category

1 Ronel Thomas ( Boxer ) 40:22 2 Janene Carey ( Phantane ) 40:40 3 Julie Huckle ( Hout Bay Harriers ) 41:21

60-69 Category

1 Judy Bird ( Murray & Roberts ) 40:55 2 Grace de Oliveira ( Phantane ) 45:10 3 Dee Smale ( TotalSports VOB ) 46:01

70 + Category :

1 Nancy Will ( Pinelands AC ) 50:44 2 Veronica van Niekerk ( Elgin Grabouw AC ) 55:02 3 Maureen Verster ( Century City AC ) 58:13

Images : Carl Fourie